Child disability grant scheme could be scaled back

The grant scheme is intended to help young people with disabilities develop new relationships, skills and confidence

A scheme by Medway Council which facilitates activities for disabled children and give carers a break from their role could be scaled back due to its popularity.

Families are eligible to receive between £500 to £1,000 from the authority, depending on the severity of their child's disability.

However, the council wants to tighten the eligibility criteria and reduce the amount each household receives after it spent £625,000 on the grants in 2022/23 – £134,000 more than the scheme had been allocated, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council declined to comment on the plans ahead of a cabinet meeting next week.

The grant scheme is intended to help children and young people with disabilities develop new relationships, skills and confidence through activities including sport, after-school clubs and days away from home.

Surge in usage

It was used by 700 people when it was introduced in 2016., But it now supports 1,177 children – an increase of 68% - and has already been predicted to overspend this year’s budget by £255,000.

Under the plans, children will need to have a diagnosed disability or receive a Disability Living Allowance to be eligible.

Currently, families where the disability of their child has “little or no impact on family” receive £500, those that have a “moderate impact” receive £750, and those that have a major impact receive £1,000.

But plans would see the lowest level removed and the remaining two reduced by £250 each.

The council is also said to think that asking families to reapply each year will provide more accurate information about who is most in need.

The changes are estimated to save the council around £200,000 per year.