UK Parliament / Open data

Children and Young Persons Bill [HL]

I do not know what the cost implications of this would be, but I know that the noble Baroness, Lady Walmsley, is right to raise such an important issue. The noble Baroness hosted an excellent reception last year on this subject. When one talked to the amazingly dedicated teachers who educate children with the most complex disabilities, it became obvious that the communication aids and support for these children are vital. However, provision is patchy and often when the aids break down there are no funds to mend them, so those children stop communicating. It would be like taking away our speech. The Children Now Manifesto published last year included the right for disabled children to have communication support. It said: "““Without the ability to communicate we cannot explain what we want or share our thoughts. Children with speech and other communication impairments who lack the right support or equipment are effectively gagged””." It went on to say that the Government do not measure how many children are in this situation. Can the Minister give an assurance that the Government will collate figures on this so that we can fully understand the scale of the problem and look for ways to redress it?
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
697 c528-9GC 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords Grand Committee
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