§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government: What consideration they have given to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's report entitled "It doesn't happen to disabled children"—child protection and disabled children; and what action they will take on its recommendations. [HL81]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandWe welcome the publication of the NSPCC report,"It doesn 't happen to disabled children"—child protection and disabled children. We will consider the recommendations contained in the report carefully.
We recognise the particular vulnerability of disabled children to abuse, which increases when, as a result of their disability, children are unable to communicate abuse. That is why government guidance on safeguarding children, including Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) and Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need Practice Guidance (2000), highlights the need to promote a high level of awareness of this increased vulnerability and sets out measures that should be taken to strengthen the capacity of disabled children and their families to communicate abuse.
The forthcoming National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services will be addressing the issue of safeguarding all children, including disabled children.