On the edge: Minority ethnic families caring for a severely disabled child

Description

Despite increased awareness of the needs, circumstances and experiences of families with a disabled child, and the acknowledgement of the need to tackle inequalities and barriers to access in recent NHS reforms, there has been little gain in health or improved access to services for minority ethnic groups. This report presents the findings of the first ever national survey in the UK, in which nearly 600 parents took part, which looked at the needs and circumstances of minority ethnic families caring for a severely disabled child. The quantitative survey was then compared with data on the circumstances and experiences of white families from an earlier survey. The authors highlight the key implications for services to help parents and their children - reducing social exclusion; meeting language, communication and information needs; and bridging and improving informal and formal support. On the edge will inform and influence managers and practitioners within health, education, social services and the voluntary sector about the particular needs and circumstances of minority ethnic families who are caring for a severely disabled child. It will also be a key resource for researchers and students in the fields of disability studies, social policy, social work, ethnic relations, health services research and related fields.

Rampaul Chamba, University of California, Waqar Ahmad, Division of Research, Analysis and Evaluation, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Michael Hirst, Dot Lawton and Bryony Beresford, Social Policy Research Unit, University of York

"Managers, planners of health services, and practitioners in health, education, social services and the voluntary sector would all benefit from reading this book." The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health "... useful not only for readers interested in this particular field, but for those concerned about broader issues of equality and social justice." Health & Social Care in the Community "... extremely informative ... the survey data contained within this book will go some way to reinforce the needs to improve equality for access to information." Therapy Weekly