Short Breaks Bill given a chance by MP

Gary Streeter, Conservative MP for South West Devon, has announced today that he will be taking on the Short Breaks Bill for disabled children and their parents.  He was drawn 4th in the Private Members Ballot, giving him a shot at taking forward legislation.  However, the vast majority of Private Members Bills fail which is why the Every Disabled Child Matters Campaign needs your help! 

Breaks are vital to carers and we hear from carers every day about how breaks help them to recharge their batteries, keep healthy, spend valuable time with other children or family relatives, etc.

If successful, this ground breaking Bill would:

*  impose specific duties on local authorities and health agencies in England and Wales to provide short breaks for families who provide a substantial level of care on a regular basis.

* require local authorities to secure a sufficient supply of short breaks in their area

*  requires the break to be of positive benefit for the child as well as the parent to try to increase the quality of breaks for families, 

*  would amend the definition of a disabled child in the Children Act 1989 to ensure that more children with disabilities come under the definition and are eligible for support.

Most people cannot imagine what it is like caring for a disabled child, day in, day out, without a break.  Research by Mencap has also show that carers quickly reach Breaking Point if they do not receive regular breaks.  

Today, Carers UK is publishing new research, in conjunction with Contact a Family which will show how much harder it is for parents of disabled children, where many people take things for granted.   The research will provide valuable evidence as to why families with disabled children need regular breaks.

So far, the backbone of carers' legislation has been through Carers UK's three successful Private Members Bills, the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995, the Carers and Disabled Children Act and the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004.  Without these bills, carers' rights would be virtually non-existent. We need this Bill to help to eradicate the postcode lottery that many parents face in trying to get breaks for their children.

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said, "It is vital that this Bill and the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign gets all our support.   Carers, professionals and members of the public lobby their MP to support this Bill and do everything in its power to take it forward."

For further information about the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign visit www.edcm.org.uk