Families lacking information

20th February 2012 from Family Fund

Families raising disabled children 'lack information about available support', survey reveals.

A nationwide survey of families raising disabled or seriously ill children has revealed that many lack information about the local, regional and national support available to them.

The Family Fund is to explore opportunities to develop its information role after a survey of families visited by its advisers revealed a significant number only find out about benefit entitlements and other possible support when advisers call to assess families’ eligibility for a grant.

The survey, which interviewed 500 families visited by the Fund across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, reveals:

• Almost half (46.4%) had received advice from the Family Fund about benefits or DLA that they might be able to claim (nearly 50 of the families interviewed (10%) had actually managed to increase their weekly income as a direct result of that advice).

• 60% of families say they don’t have enough information about other disability organisations.

• 53% want information on the Social Fund Community Care grants
• More than a third of families would like a factsheet about benefits

• More than a third of families caring for a child with a disability or serious illness had never had a visit from a professional worker (other than the Family Fund advisor).

• 70% of families given information about other groups or organisations followed it by getting in touch with those organisations.

Derek Walpole Chief Executive of the Family Fund said: “The survey was intended to be an exercise for internal use to tell us how we could build on the valuable service we already give to families, but provides some startling statistics about the amount of information which is not reaching families.

“One of the big issues is that many families caring for disabled or seriously ill children are isolated and do not have contact with other professionals or other sources of information.

“Over the coming months, we will be exploring opportunities to fund the development and delivery of additional information in partnership with other suitable organisations who are seeking to provide practical and valuable support, to help improve the wellbeing of families.”

The 500 families involved in the study were visited by the Fund over a six month period this year and used an online survey to give details about their experience of the visit. Organisations interested in working with the Family Fund should contact Cheryl Ward Development Director on cwa@familyfund.org.uk