28/07/2026
This is so dangerous. I work closely with many disabled teenagers and know first hand the barriers they face to get the bare minimum of support.
Most don’t get PIP at all even though they would qualify as the assessment process is such a barrier to them.
Youth services, mental health support and systems to work with young people to provide strategies that help manage their challenges have all been stripped back & many don’t exist anymore.
When I first qualified as a youth and community worker there were Connexions drop in shops and case managers who could teach and support young people Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET), they’d work closely with local youth workers who got to know young people through activities and projects that were open to all but also that targeted the most vulnerable to help build their self esteem, build skills and give them opportunities for qualifications such as AQA, ASDAN & Arts Award.
Most areas do not employ youth work teams or run youth centres or projects now, they definitely don’t have funding for specialist workers who support young people with disabilities & the teams that supported all young people in the NEET category are largely gone - the funding just isn’t available.
It’s no wonder that young people are struggling with mental health crisis’s - we know there are less PT jobs and starter positions available due to changes in how we work, so for those with any kind of disability they are even less able to access work or education that is suitable for them.
I must write a whole post about how young people are failed by the current education system and how the governments proposed changes will further disadvantage and actually harm disabled and SEN young people and their families - it’s too long to include here!
I’ll end by sharing my experience, that these young people who have huge levels of anxiety often battling self harm, intrusive thoughts & battling to stay alive (the su***de rates in this group are heartbreakingly high), are kind, thoughtful, bright and sparky, they are determined and resilient. They have the most empathy and are so inclusive in the way they show up for others and cheer them on - they often have no real support whatsoever, even when multiply disabled, and if they can get some level of PIP it can be able them to but the mobility aids, the counselling or transport to access the community at all rather than becoming completely isolated at home - they work hard supporting the development of services, advocating, and providing the highest level of mental health support to their peers because no one else is, and they know how hard it is, what may help a tiny bit and what
platitudes completely fail to help…
Sending love to each and every person or family that is struggling with this awful narrative on top of their daily challenges.
If a space to discuss what’s going on for you, with lived experience and professional experience of services and strategies might be useful. Comment SPACE, and I’ll share my current coaching offer with you and send you to my free resource 💙✨
