This recent research by Andy Bilson shows that Section 47 child protection investigations have increased by 145.2% for disabled children and by 45.4% for non-disabled children. These shocking figures confirm the discrimination faced by families with disabled children when they ask for the help from Social Services that they are entitled to, and shows the increasing trend to blame or punish any mother/family who asks for help rather than giving them support.

At the same time, government statistics show nearly 4.5m children live in poverty, and 43% of families with a disabled child live in poverty. Labelling poverty as ‘neglect’ as a “reason” to take children from their families causes long lasting trauma and harm to children and their mothers.