Safeguarding children and young people with disabilities

Disability Discrimination Legislation

The general legislative context for safeguarding disabled children is the same as for all children. The same principles and the same duties apply, whether a child is disabled or not. This section sets out only those elements of legislation, guidance and policy specifically relevant for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of disabled children.

The Equality Act (2010)

defines a disabled person (including a disabled child) as someone with ‘a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term negative effect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activities’. For further information about the definition click here.

The Equality Act applies to churches and we must do everything we can to ensure that a child is not excluded and that we make reasonable adjustments with the services we provide.

Our background was working, supporting and advocating for families who have children with a disability so we understand how it can be challenging things can be for parents and their families. We also personally understand how isolating it can be if church doesn’t understand the issues families deal with on a day to day basis.

Sometimes church can be an uncomfortable place to be for families who may feel judged by others because they struggle with some aspects of parenting.

Our churches should be places where parents can be supported in their parenting, where they can be involved for their own spiritual growth and a place where they know their children will be supported and understood.

We know that children with disabilities are particularly vulnerable for all kinds of reasons when it comes to safeguarding.

We offer training around understanding behaviour, the autistic spectrum, ADHD and how churches can help and support families and individuals.

Helpful websites and blogs

Additional Needs Blogfather – Mark Arnold (The Additional Needs Blogfather) is the Additional Needs Lead for Urban Saints’ pioneering additional needs ministry, including training, consultancy, conference speaking and resourcing.

Urban Saints Additional Needs Resources can be found here.

The ‘Additional Needs Alliance’, helps churches to include, support, create places of belonging for, and spiritually grow children, young people and young adults with additional needs or disabilities.

Through the Roof is a Christian charity that exists to transform lives through Jesus with disabled people. This includes supporting churches become more inclusive.

NCVO guidance for charities – The Equality Act: Your Legal Duties.