Safeguarding disabled children guidance

Children with complex needs and disabilities are children first and foremost. This means that they should be afforded the same opportunities, rights and protections as all other children and young people. Children with disabilities are too often seen in the context of the things that they 'can't' do. Practitioners across all agencies should ensure that their intervention with children with disabilities is child focussed, that it highlights the child's strengths and that support plans, irrespective of context, promote the child's right to achieve their full potential. 

Whilst disabled children experience much the same types of abuse as other children, research suggests that disabled children are 3 to 4 times more likely to be abused than non-disabled children. 

Research has also shown that children with communication impairments, behavioural challenges, learning disabilities and sensory impairments are particularly vulnerable. 

Children with a disability are children first and foremost, and deserving of the same rights and protection as other children. Ensuring disabled children's wellbeing is everybody's responsibility and it is critical that all practitioners are aware of the potential vulnerability of disabled children and to recognise and respond to safeguarding concerns.