Abstract

Now in its completely updated second edition, this accessible guide provides essential information about how the law can be used to promote good practice and policy development for disabled children and young people.

The authors take an anti-discriminatory and inclusive approach that involves parents and children in decision-making and advocacy. They summarise recent research on common needs and problems of disabled children, young adults and their families, and what support services are valued by them. Individual chapters cover issues affecting children at different stages in the lifecourse, including receiving diagnosis, ensuring educational and social inclusion, and establishing autonomy and independence in early adulthood. The overlapping legal responsibilities of social services, health and education are explained and changes arising from the Children Act 2004 are highlighted.

Disabled Children and the Law is an essential reference for practitioners, policy makers, students and families.

This is a timely and comprehensive guide which will be essential reading for social workers in this field, as it explains the overlapping responsibilities of social services, education and health and the changes arising from the Children Act 2004. It is practical and accessible with a user friendly style, including a helpful summary of recent research on the needs of disabled children and their families.
Professional Social Work

Praise for the first edition:

'This book helps readers understand the relevant laws, and to apply these laws confidently and creatively to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities. While research-based and informative, the book is also very readable.'

Community Practitioner
The book is easy to use and the cross-referencing in the text and detailed index makes it possible to dip in and out and search for relevant information. Written by recognised experts in the fields of research and law relating to disabled children, this should prove an essential tool for all those working with disabled children and their families.
Share an Idea
Quite how much attitudes have changed towards disability in this enlightened millennium is a moot point. But one thing is for sure; the law certainly has changed. From the Disability Discrimination Act to the Children Act 2004 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, this is an increasingly complex area and this helpful publication is a very useful guide.
Young People Now
This excellent and comprehensive guide should prove invaluable to practitioners, lecturers, and students of law, social policy and social work. It places a strong emphasis on the right of disabled children and young people to have access to the experiences that children without disabilities have and take for granted.
British Journal of Social Work
This second edition of Disabled Children and the Law, written by two lawyers and a social work academic as a guide for practitioners, policy makers, students and families to using the law to promote good practice and policy development for disabled children and young people, has been revised to include new research and to take account of the changes, arising from the 2004 Children Act in the overlapping responsibilities of social services, health and education towards disabled children and young people... This excellent and comprehensive guide should prove invaluable to practitioners, lecturers and students of law, social policy and social. It places strong emphasis on the right of disabled children and young people to have access to the experiences that children without disabilities between the needs of children granted.
British Journal of Social Work
It has much to offer and its presentation does manage to escape successfully from the dullness one might anticipate. It is written in an accessible and friendly style and is thorough in its approach to supporting evidence and documentation. In terms of the cost of books today, I think it represents good value for money. The parts of chapters, which summarise research and practices, would be helpful to students and tutors involved in a range of courses in education, social policy and social work. Its additional focus on the legal position and the inclusion of the various appendices might prove very useful to disabled people and to parents of disabled children.
The Skill Journal
This second edition publication is an excellent support tool for parents and guardians of children with disabilities, and those working in disabled children's services. The introduction makes it very clear how the book is set out and how it is best used.
The Encephalitis Society
This book gives important information about how the law can be used to help disabled children and young people. It mentions common needs and problems of disabled children and their families, and what support services are helpful. Information on diagnosis, ensuring educational and social inclusion, and establishing independence in early adulthood. The overlapping legal responsibilities of social services, health and education are explained. Not light reading but helpful if you need this information in an easy to read text.
Education Otherwise
This is a first-rate book which sets out to review the main statutes, guidance, research and good practice that relate to disabled children... essential reading for people who work with disabled children and their families, social policy and law students, as well as an invaluable source of information for families and disabled young people.
Community Care
I found this book extremely informative and feel that it would be beneficial to professional agencies and parents alike. It covers all the basics relating to identifying a disabled child or young person's individual welfare needs and also clearly details the roles and responsibilities of all the statutory agencies likely to be involved with the child or young person or their family. This is an excellent resource book that clearly outlines the duty and responsibilities of Social Services, NHS and Education Department. It would be a useful tool in identifying children's rights to services (and the relevant legislation) for any work undertaken by CAFCASS with disabled children/young people and their families).
CAFCASS Publications
Packed with information...an asset to anyone affected by disability or working with clients affected by disability.
British Journal of Developmental Disabilities
Janet Read is a Reader in the School of Health and Social Studies at the University of Warwick. She teaches social work and medical students and is a trainer and consultant in the public and voluntary sectors. Janet has written widely on services for disabled children, adults and their families. Luke Clements is a solicitor and Reader in the School of Law, Cardiff University. He has extensive legal experience of representing disabled children, adults and their families, has published widely on community care and the rights of disabled people, and undertakes training in the public and voluntary sectors. David Ruebain is a partner at Levenes Solicitors. He is Chair of the Law Society's Disability and Mental Health Committee and has received an award from RADAR (Royal Association for Disability and Rehabililitation) for his work for the rights of disabled people and those with special needs.