Childhood disability in Brighton and Hove: a geographic perspective

Abstract

This thesis presents an analysis of the micro-geographies of childhood disability in Brighton and Hove. Drawing upon a dataset of childhood disability (the Compass), which is administered and updated by a local voluntary organisation, and selected national datasets, quantitative research methods were used. The analyses exposed highly uneven patterns of childhood disability in Brighton and Hove. Childhood disability is generally tied to neighbourhoods with high levels of deprivation and disadvantage; the proportions of disabled children are several times higher in deprived areas in the east of Brighton than in less deprived areas of the city. It was found that disabled children living in the most deprived areas were more likely to have sole carers, live in housing their families considered inadequate and to experience multiple deprivation than those living elsewhere. High levels of bullying and school exclusion were noted for disabled children in Brighton and Hove; those living in the most deprived neighbourhood were at particularly high risk of school exclusion. Children living in more deprived areas were less likely attend holiday playschemes, receive short break services, or use Direct Payments compared to those with broadly similar levels of additional needs living elsewhere in the city.

Date of Award	Mar 2010
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Brighton