Thousands of disabled children in England are facing a summer without essential recreational and social opportunities due to a severe shortage of accessible holiday clubs. New research highlights that only six percent of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will access holiday club support this summer, leaving a significant gap in provision.
The findings, released by the disability charity Sense, reveal a stark reality for many families: one in ten local authorities in England commission no holiday clubs specifically for disabled children. This oversight means over 61,000 children with disabilities are at risk of missing out on vital activities and social interaction during the school break.
This lack of support forces some parents into difficult choices, including quitting their jobs to provide full-time care. Others struggle to afford costly private care options, which can run into hundreds of pounds weekly. The situation creates immense pressure, particularly for mothers like Zoe Hodgson, who experienced firsthand the distress of her autistic son being turned away from a paid-for summer club.
A Mother’s Devastating Experience
Zoe Hodgson, a 25-year-old mother of two from Cardiff, recounted the emotional moment she was informed her four-year-old son, Theo, could not attend a summer holiday club for which she had already paid £150. Theo, who is awaiting an official autism diagnosis and is not yet toilet trained, was reportedly denied a place after his mother disclosed these needs during drop-off.
“I told them ‘he’s not toilet trained, he’s got autism, like I mentioned in the form’ and that’s when they apologised and said they couldn’t have him,” Zoe explained. She described the staff citing ‘policy’ as the reason for refusal, a response that left her feeling heartbroken and overwhelmed.
“I tried to hold it in, but as soon as they said he can’t stay I could feel myself getting all upset, and I felt so teary. It was just the reality check of it again,” she shared. Zoe highlighted the immense strain of the holidays, noting her inability to afford private respite care. This lack of support impacts her other child, her daughter, who receives less one-on-one attention due to Theo’s needs and the constant vigilance required to manage his behaviour and ensure safety.
Zoe also pointed out the practical challenges of finding suitable childcare for Theo, whose tendency to escape and explore unsafe areas makes many homes unsuitable. The need for constant supervision, childproofing, and the expense of safety measures like tall baby gates add to the burden.
Wider Impact on Families and Employment
The challenges faced by Zoe are echoed by many across England. Sense’s research indicates that over half of parent carers struggle to find accessible holiday clubs for their disabled children. This difficulty has significant financial repercussions, with one in three families left financially worse off. Alarmingly, almost one in five of these parents have been compelled to leave their employment entirely.
Kathryn Mulroy, a 37-year-old from West Yorkshire, is one such parent who left her job in mental health to care for her three children, two of whom have significant additional needs. Her nine-year-old son has autism, a severe learning disability, and Pica, while her eight-year-old daughter also has autism and a learning disability. Both are non-verbal, presenting complex care requirements.
Kathryn contrasted the availability of clubs when her neurotypical son was younger, recalling a wide array of options. For her younger children, however, she states, “there has never been an option for that at all.” She was forced to give up her job previously due to her son’s unmet needs at school and emphasized the critical importance of summer holiday support for parents.
“It was hard to leave my job, it was my freedom, my time of being with adults and having some time away from being mum,” Kathryn reflected. The loss of employment not only affects financial stability but also impacts parental wellbeing and personal identity.
The ‘Postcode Lottery’ of Support
Sense warns that the consequences of this provision gap extend beyond missed activities. Fifty-seven percent of parent carers report difficulty finding accessible holiday clubs, citing impacts on finances, employment, and mental health. For children with complex needs, such as Kathryn’s son who requires a two-to-one staff ratio, even limited respite care can be challenging to secure and afford.
While every disabled child is entitled to an assessment for children’s social care support, which can include funding for holiday clubs, the implementation varies drastically. Local authorities interpret their duties differently, creating a “stark postcode lottery” in provision. This inconsistency means that children with SEND are often unfairly excluded based on their location.
Kathryn shared her experience of finding a club in Bradford that caters to disabled children, but it involved group sessions unsuitable for her son’s specific needs. She acknowledges that mainstream holiday clubs are unlikely to accommodate him, further limiting his options.
Navigating public spaces during busy periods also presents a significant challenge for parents like Kathryn. She often has to visit places like parks or soft play areas during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, adding another layer of logistical complexity to the holidays.
Calls for Action and Government Response
Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing at Sense, stressed the “impossible struggle” many parents face. She noted the influx of messages from exhausted parents sharing their difficulties, their fears of children missing out, and their relief that the issue is being highlighted. “They face the same childcare crisis every school holiday,” Edwards stated.
Sense advises parents in need of additional help to contact their local authority and request an assessment for children’s social care support. This process can potentially unlock funding and assistance for holiday clubs and childcare.
A spokesperson for the Department for Education highlighted the government’s investment of over £600 million in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. This initiative aims to provide healthy food and enriching activities to hundreds of thousands of children across England during the summer. The department expects councils to collaborate with providers to ensure children with SEND are included. Additionally, families can benefit from the Great British Summer Saving scheme, offering discounts and free bus travel for children in August.
Conclusion
The current landscape for disabled children and their families during school holidays remains fraught with challenges. While government initiatives like the HAF programme aim to broaden access, the experiences of parents like Zoe and Kathryn underscore a persistent gap in tailored, accessible provision. The disparity in local authority support and the financial and emotional toll on families highlight the urgent need for more consistent and comprehensive solutions to ensure no child is left behind during their summer break.
