Children with Disabilities
This section is an additional part of your safeguarding training, and covers issues specifically related to children with disabilities.
6. Attitudes
6.3. Disability Rights Commission
Negative attitudes and assumptions can lead to institutional discrimination. An
investigation by the Disability Rights Commission revealed ‘an inadequate
response from the health service to the major physical health inequalities
experienced by some of the most socially excluded citizens: those with learning
disabilities and/or mental health problems.’ This included disabled children and
young people. Their investigation found children and young people in particular
experienced ‘diagnostic overshadowing’ – that is reports of physical ill health
being viewed as part of the mental health problem or learning disability – and so
not investigated or treated. (Gov.uk, July 2009)
