Parental rating improves for disabled children’s services

Parental satisfaction in services for disabled children has increased in the past year, a government survey has revealed.

The findings are part of a second national sample survey of parents of disabled children in England conducted between July and November 2009.

In the last survey, parents gave services an overall national score of 59 out of 100. This rose to 61 in the national figures for 2009/10, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families this week.

The new results also include scores for individual local authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs) so parents can compare their local area with the national score.

Schools minister Diana Johnson said: “Through this increased focus in parents shaping services we expect to see these improvements continue.

“It will be important for local authorities and PCTs to reflect on their scores and see what action they may need to take to ensure services meet the needs of those using them.”

The government collected information about all local authorities in England through a questionnaire, asking parents about their views on health, social care and education services for their disabled children.

The aim of the survey is to provide a baseline for authorities to assess their performance on the provision of services for disabled children.

The highest scoring authority was Derbyshire, which scored an overall baseline of 68. Brent sits at the bottom of the table with an overall score of 55 out of 100.