Cold, damp, or cramped living conditions afflict disabled children and their parents much more than other families, new research indicates.

Current policy and practice is inadequate in meeting their needs

Bryony Beresford report co-author

Nine out of ten families with a severely disabled child report at least one significant difficulty with their homes.

A quarter of families identify six or more problems, according to the first national survey by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation of housing needs for disabled families.

More than half of the 3,000 parents surveyed - 55% - said there was too little room in their homes, including space for play, carrying out therapies or storing equipment.

Disrepair

Four out of ten parents in the survey reported that their homes were cold, damp or in poor repair.

One in seven parents of disabled children reported inadequate heating, compared with one in 12 families with children overall.

Most families interviewed had already moved house at least once in response to their child's needs or their own needs as carers.

"Families with a disabled child face many additional difficulties, yet many find themselves living in unsuitable housing that only serves to compound the difficulties they face," said Bryony Beresford, co-author of the study.

"Current policy and practice is inadequate in meeting their needs."

Dangerous

In addition, the survey suggested that visually impaired children were sometimes put in housing that was "downright dangerous".

Typically, there is no single agency at local government level taking lead responsibility for assisting families with disabilities, the survey concludes.

The survey revealed that only a minority of families with disabled children have received help with their housing needs from government agencies.