Overview of the provision in Scotland of early learning and childcare for children with profound and multiple learning disabilities with life-limiting or life-threating conditions

A new report highlights widespread failings, as children with highly complex disabilities cannot access their right to nursery placements.

Every 3 and 4 year old in Scotland has a legal right to 1140 hours of free nursery or alternative early learning and childcare. However, the report highlights that children with highly complex disabilities and intensive health care needs, who would hugely benefit from inclusive play, communication and learning are often not able to access this entitlement and are missing out on potentially life long benefits, while their parents are experiencing mental health problems, isolation and are unable to work.

70% of parents of children with highly complex disability and intensive health needs surveyed said they could not access a nursery placement for their child when they asked for it, and 79% said that the process of securing nursery provision for their child or the limitations of the provision that was provided meant that they had to give up work; prevented them from working; or required them to reduce their working hours.

The Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments and Indigo Childcare Group have released a new report into the provision of Early Learning and Childcare for children with highly complex disabilities and intensive health care needs. They say that although the Scottish Government’s flagship policy of access to free nursery care for 3 and 4 year olds is working well for most families in Scotland, significant
challenges remain in ensuring that those with complex needs can access their entitlement. Bob Fraser CEO of the Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments said “We are talking about around 230 children in Scotland with the most complex needs who have very rare conditions or multiple conditions where the science tells us that they would particularly benefit developmentally from nursery. However, parents tell us they can’t access their entitlement to reliable nursery placements that consistently meet their child needs when they want it and where they want it, if they can access a placement at all.”

Although this report focuses on children with profound and multiple learning disabilities with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, the challenges faced by these children and families in accessing Early Learning and Childcare are also faced by many other families affected by childhood disability.

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