'There is a much higher demand for places than is currently being met,'
says Dr Pat Petrie, co-author of the report.
The study of 14 local authorities reveals just how much of a 'Cinderella service' inclusive play provision is. 'It should be an entitlement rather than a gift,' said co-author Pamela Storey, who points out that ad hoc funding has a demoralising effect not only on the children and parents who depend on provision, but on staff, who lack job security.
Another problem is that disabled children aged 13-15 can end up with able-bodied children aged nine to ten and feel isolated by age as well as disability. This is because young able-bodied teenagers prefer to 'do their own thing' and not attend play programmes. One way around this might be a befriending service, with young people aged 18 and over who could take out disabled youngsters in the 13-15 age range.
