Don’t write us off: too many young disabled people are told they can’t succeed

Whizz Kidz welcomes a new government report highlighting the barriers facing young people in education and employment

Whizz Kidz has contributed to a government report which highlights the systemic barriers faced by young people with additional needs. The report by the House of Lords Public Services Committee,  reveals that too many young disabled people are being "written off" early in their lives and told they cannot succeed despite their potential to thrive with appropriate support.

The findings come as no surprise to Whizz Kidz, which has long advocated for better services and greater investment to help disabled young people realise their full potential. As a charity, we work to provide essential mobility equipment, training, and employment opportunities to ensure that disabled young people are not left behind.

Barriers from the start: lack of resources, aspiration, and expertise

The report outlines a troubling journey for young people with additional needs, starting from their early years in nursery school, where the lack of resources and appropriate support begins. This issue continues through education, where many disabled students are not given the tailored assistance they need to succeed. The report also points to a lack of aspiration and expertise from some educational institutions, meaning disabled students are often not encouraged to pursue their career goals.

Whizz Kidz shares these concerns. Through our work with young wheelchair users, we see firsthand how young people often face discouragement and unnecessary limitations, even when they are capable of excelling given the right support.

Sarah Pugh, CEO of Whizz Kidz, said: "We believe that every young person, regardless of disability, should have the chance to achieve their ambitions. The findings in the report mirror what we've been campaigning for over many years: that disabled young people are often overlooked and underestimated by the systems designed to support them. Whizz Kidz is committed to continuing our work to change this narrative."

Whizz Kidz is currently undertaking its own research with the Whizz Kidz School Report – a national survey of schools and young wheelchair users. The study will identify the gaps young wheelchair users face in education, both mainstream and SEND. We will also identify the opinions of education professionals, including feedback on the training they receive to support young wheelchair users, how confident they feel in this, and what they believe needs to be done to improve opportunities. We will publish the report early in 2025 with key recommendations for the Government.

Addressing barriers to employment

The report also emphasised the persistent barriers young disabled people face when trying to secure long-term employment. Many employers are doing outstanding work to promote inclusivity, but others continue to discriminate, consciously or unconsciously, against those with disabilities. The lack of widespread understanding of how to support disabled employees is a major issue.

Whizz Kidz has been at the forefront of tackling this problem by offering programmes designed to improve young people's skills and confidence in the workplace. Moreover, Whizz Kidz has worked closely with employers to remove misconceptions and ensure they have the knowledge and tools necessary to support young wheelchair users who are employees. This includes educating businesses on the benefits of an inclusive workforce and the reasonable adjustments that can be made to accommodate employees with additional needs.

"Whizz Kidz will keep pushing for a future where young wheelchair users are empowered to thrive in education, work, and beyond."

Sarah Pugh, CEO, Whizz Kidz

Government support: a push in the right direction

The Department of Health and Social Care's (DHSC) investment of £18 million in supported internships for those aged 16-24 with special needs or disabilities, announced in the report, is a promising step towards addressing these systemic issues. Whizz Kidz applauds this move, as supported internships offer crucial pathways into employment by helping young disabled people gain valuable work experience and develop employability skills in a real-world environment.

However, Whizz Kidz echoes the report’s finding that while innovative and exceptional services exist, they are not widespread or consistent enough to meet the demand. The lack of resources and funding means that too many young people still fall through the cracks.

Moving forward: Whizz Kidz’s commitment

In response to the report, Whizz Kidz is reaffirming its commitment to advocating for systemic changes to ensure that young people with disabilities are no longer "written off" by society. The charity will continue to work in partnership with the government, employers, and educational institutions to break down barriers and ensure that disabled youth have access to the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.

Whizz Kidz also calls on more employers to join the movement towards inclusive hiring practices and to take advantage of the government’s investment in supported internships. These initiatives can transform the employment landscape for young people with additional needs.

Sarah Pugh concluded: "We must continue to support the aspirations of young wheelchair users, ensuring they have the confidence, resources, and opportunities to succeed in life. The DHSC's investment in internships is a welcome step, but much more needs to be done. Whizz Kidz will keep pushing for a future where young wheelchair users are empowered to thrive in education, work, and beyond."

Through its ongoing efforts, Whizz Kidz remains a critical voice in the fight for equality and inclusion for young wheelchair users, ensuring they are no longer overlooked but given every opportunity to succeed.