I have signed up to the Disabled Children’s Partnership ‘s pledge to become a Disabled Children’s Champion, to show my support for children and families in Putney, Roehampton and Southfields as the nation recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Disabled Children’s Partnership’s latest report shows that, despite lockdown easing, families across the whole country still cannot access vital services they need to manage their disabled child’s condition, such as physiotherapy, operations, and speech and language therapy. Without this support, disabled children across the country risk losing vital progress. The research also reveals that too many parents and children are facing grave mental health challenges, educational difficulties, and that they are still more socially isolated than the rest of the population.

The evidence clearly shows that disabled children and their families have been disproportionately impacted and that they need tailored support. In becoming a Disabled Children’s Champion, I will take a stand for disabled children, who must not be left out of the conversation on the UK’s recovery from the pandemic.

If you are a child with special needs or a disability, or a parent, please do get in touch if you need support, or to let me know what you want me to raise in Parliament. I have weekly surgeries, and most weeks I speak with a family with a disabled child or a child with special needs and I know how tough the pandemic has been for families.