Disabled children missing out on summer activities, new research warns
New research from the Children’s Commissioner for England and disability charity Sense has highlighted growing concerns that disabled children are being excluded from summer holiday activities that many families rely on for fun, friendship and support.
The Children’s Commissioner is calling for urgent action after finding that disabled children may be significantly less likely to access the Government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. The programme provides free holiday clubs and healthy meals for children from low-income families, but evidence suggests many disabled children face barriers that prevent them from taking part. The Commissioner warns that a lack of suitable provision, limited specialist support and difficulties finding accessible activities could leave disabled children missing out on opportunities available to their peers.
Separate research from Sense paints a similar picture. In a survey of families with disabled children, many parents said they struggled to find holiday clubs that could meet their child’s needs. Families reported concerns about staff confidence, communication support, sensory environments and whether activities were genuinely inclusive. As a result, some children attended less often, while others did not attend any holiday activities at all.
Together, the two reports highlight a wider issue that school holidays can increase isolation for disabled children and place additional pressure on families who may already face financial, practical and emotional challenges. Inclusive holiday activities can provide far more than entertainment, they can support children’s physical activity, confidence, independence and social connections.
For organisations delivering sport, play and community activities, the findings are an important reminder that inclusion must be planned from the start. Accessible venues, trained staff, clear information, flexible delivery and meaningful engagement with disabled children and their families can make a significant difference.
At Activity Alliance, we believe every disabled child should have equal opportunities to be active, play and belong in sport and activity. These findings reinforce the need for providers, local authorities and policymakers to work together so that summer activities are designed with disabled children in mind, not added as an afterthought.
