Speaking at today’s Family Fund Senedd briefing event, which he sponsored, North Wales MS Mark Isherwood emphasised the need to ensure that disabled families are no longer forgotten.
He applauded the Family Fund and other charities for providing “a vital lifeline” to families raising disabled or seriously ill children, but stressed that their support currently only reaches a small fraction of those in need.
Speaking at the event, which launched the charity’s ‘The Cost of Caring 2025’ report, Mr. Isherwood, who is Chair of the Senedd Cross-Party Group on Disability, said:
“Disabled families still face barriers daily, whether it be physical, attitudinal, communication, social or policy. Charities such as Family Fund provide a vital lifeline to these Families.
“The service they provide helps with early intervention and prevention, taking some of the pressures off those families and saving Public Services in Wales millions every year.
“However, despite their dedication, their support currently only reaches a small fraction of those in need.
“The demand for grants is rising as more families face income insufficiency, food insecurity, and limited employment options due to caring responsibilities.
“In addition to basic living expenses, families with disabled children also face steep specialist costs - for items like adapted equipment, therapies, and sensory tools.
“Seventy-six percent report having to pay for these out of pocket without any financial support.”
He added:
“Today’s Cost of Caring 2025 report provides essential insight for the Welsh Government when constructing child poverty policies and examines why families raising disabled or seriously ill children are disproportionately affected by financial hardship, exploring key factors such as; Income insufficiency; the role of paid work as a potential route out of poverty; the unique barriers parent/carers face in accessing employment; and how multiple disadvantages compound these challenges.
“The Report’s findings included that almost half of families experience income insufficiency and almost 90% of parent-carers can’t work as many hours as they’d like due to caring responsibilities and two thirds say their financial situation has affected their child’s emotional wellbeing.
“No-one chooses Disability, no parent should have to sacrifice their own health to keep their child safe and warm, and no child should go without a toy, a meal, independence — simply because they have health conditions or impairments.
“We need to ensure that disabled families are no longer forgotten. We must ensure they are heard, seen, supported, and valued. Not just with words, but with real action.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr. Isherwood said:
“As attendees representing Charities which provide key services stated, ‘It’s time to talk about the absolute crisis we are in for disabled children and adults in Wales’ ”.
Families in Wales can apply for a Family Fund grant every 24 months and are eligible if they:
- are the main carer for a disabled or seriously ill child, aged 17 or younger
- and have a low income from work or benefits.