Disabled Children and the Law: Research and Good Practice

Now in its completely updated second edition, this accessible guide provides essential information about how the law can be used to promote good practice and policy development for disabled children and young people.

The authors take an anti-discriminatory and inclusive approach that involves parents and children in decision-making and advocacy. They summarise recent research on common needs and problems of disabled children, young adults and their families, and what support services are valued by them. Individual chapters cover issues affecting children at different stages in the lifecourse, including receiving diagnosis, ensuring educational and social inclusion, and establishing autonomy and independence in early adulthood. The overlapping legal responsibilities of social services, health and education are explained and changes arising from the Children Act 2004 are highlighted.

Disabled Children and the Law is an essential reference for practitioners, policy makers, students and families.

Luke Clements is a solicitor and Senior Research Fellow of the School of Law, Cardiff University. He has written widely on community care and the rights of disabled people and undertakes training in the public and voluntary sectors. He has extensive legal experience of representing disabled children, adults and their families.