Research shows that disabled children are at an increased risk of being abused compared with their non-disabled peers (Jones et al. 2012)1. They are also less likely to receive the protection and support they need when they have been abused (Taylor et al. 2014)2.
Published case reviews highlight that professionals often struggle to identify safeguarding concerns when working with d/Deaf and disabled children.
The learning from case reviews emphasises the importance of child focused practice. It highlights the need for a holistic approach to supporting disabled children and their families. It stresses the importance of considering all a child's support needs, rather than just those related to their disability.
Published: January 2016
References
Jones, L. et al (2012) Prevalence and risk of violence against children with disabilities: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. The Lancet, 380(9845):899-907.Our series of thematic briefings highlight the learning from case reviews conducted when a child dies, or is seriously harmed, as a result of abuse or neglect. Each briefing focuses on a different topic or learning for specific sectors, pulling together key risk factors and practice recommendations.
We work with local safeguarding partners to ensure that learning from case reviews can be accessed and shared at a local, regional and national level.
Find out how you can apply the lessons from case reviews and improve your practice to help protect children and young people.
Browse through our list of child safeguarding practice reviews, serious case reviews, significant case reviews and child practice reviews which were added to the National case review repository between 2017 and 2023.
Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter alerting you to the case reviews we have added to the National collection of case reviews repository at the NSPCC.
Use our guidance and advice to learn more about how you can set up safeguarding measures for d/Deaf and disabled children and protect them from abuse.
Face-to-face training to improve your awareness and understanding of the barriers that may impact the safety of d/Deaf and disabled children and young people. Available as virtual training.
Listen to this episode about our study into preventing the sexual abuse of disabled children and the need for accessible sex and relationships education.
