Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he will take to support parents of disabled children with the increasing cost of childcare.

The department is fully committed to supporting families with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This is why children with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or children who qualify for the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) are able to access the 2-year-old entitlement. The 2-year-old entitlement offers 15 hours free early education.

All children, including those with SEND, are eligible for 15 hours childcare per week from the term following their third birthday. Working parents may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free childcare per week, known as 30 hours childcare, from the term after the child’s third birthday.

Working parents can apply for Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for extra hours of childcare. If eligible, parents of disabled children aged 0-16 can save up to £4,000 per year. Tax-Free Childcare can be used for childcare providers to purchase specialist equipment to support the child’s needs, such as mobility aids.

Working parents on a low income may also be eligible for help with up to 85% of their childcare costs through the childcare element of Universal Credit. This is subject to a monthly limit of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children aged 0-16.