The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel criticized the UK government’s decision to cancel a planned expansion of advocacy services for disabled children, warning that it could lead to abuse and neglect. The halted plan would have required providing non-instructed advocacy to children who cannot communicate their views due to disabilities, mental health issues, or medical conditions. The panel’s inquiry into the abuse of disabled children at three residential services revealed that only two of 108 children had access to independent advocacy, despite the recommendation for specialized, independent advocates.
‘Door could be open to abuse’ of disabled children due to DfE shelving advocacy plan, say leads
