Bill Esterson MP signs up as a Disabled Children’s Champion

Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, has signed up to become a Disabled Children’s Champion and pledges his support for targeted recovery policies to help disabled children, young people and families recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pledge comes as new research from the Disabled Children’s Partnership (DCP) – a coalition of over 90 charities – has found that six out of ten families with disabled children are still experiencing delays to health appointments to review and treat long-term conditions.

In addition, over 50% of families are still unable to access vital therapies for their children. These delays can have a long-term impact on the management of a child’s development.

Commenting, Bill Esterson MP said: “I am proud to be a Disabled Children’s Champion, and I have committed to doing everything I can as an MP to support disabled children, young people and families as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Research from the Disabled Children’s Partnership shows that disabled children have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic as health services, therapies, respite care and more has been interrupted by the virus and its restrictions.

“We can and must do better by all young people, especially those who need our help the most.”

Amanda Batten, CEO of Contact and Chair of the Disabled Children’s Partnership, said:“It is fantastic to have the support of Bill Esterson MP in our campaign for a COVID-19 recovery, representing disabled children and families in Sefton Central.

“At the DCP we have been surveying thousands of parent carers of disabled children as part of our ongoing research into the impact of the pandemic on this group.

“Disabled children need our help. We are calling on the government to implement a specific COVID-19 recovery plan that makes up for the absence of therapies which has impacted on disabled children’s physical development and opportunities to develop vital life skills, helping them catch-up with their peers. This plan must also support the wider family with additional respite care, mental health support and activities to tackle social isolation.”