UK Families Face Overwhelming Struggles as Parents of Disabled Children Endure Unseen Burdens
Noble Live-In Care, part of City & County Healthcare, is highlighting the profound emotional, financial, and mental health challenges faced by parents caring for disabled children across the UK.
These families are grappling with overwhelming responsibilities, often without seeking help due to guilt, stigma, or a lack of awareness about available support options.
Nearly 1.8 million disabled children in the UK are cared for at home, and the impact on parent-carers is staggering. Research shows that 79% of carers feel stressed or anxious, with 49% experiencing depression, while around half report feeling socially isolated.
Over half of parent-carers (54%) have seen their physical health deteriorate due to the demands of caregiving, including chronic fatigue, poor sleep, and strain-related ailments.
The financial pressures are equally severe. Many parent-careers have had to reduce or give up paid work, leading to an average annual loss of £21,174. Disabled households frequently spend around £1,599 every six months on additional costs, and 44% report being unable to meet day-to-day living expenses even while receiving disability benefits.
Only 7% of carers are able to work full-time, and many parents juggle second jobs or extra hours just to make ends meet, often at the expense of personal hobbies, social life, and their own wellbeing.
Despite these hardships, many parents are reluctant to place their children in full-time residential care, feeling a deep sense of guilt or fearing the loss of family connection.
The lack of accessible support, combined with insufficient government assistance and limited respite care, leaves families exhausted and isolated, struggling to maintain both their child’s wellbeing and their own.
Kirsty Prendiville Lawes, Operations Manager at Noble Live-In Care, commented:
“The emotional and physical toll on parents caring for disabled children is immense. Live-in care offers a compassionate and empowering solution that supports the individual while preserving the wellbeing of the entire family. Families don’t have to face these challenges alone, and raising awareness of these options is crucial.”
Noble Live-In Care encourages families to explore live-in care as a long-term solution that can protect health, financial stability, and quality of family life. By offering professional in-home support, parents can continue caregiving with dignity and balance while preserving their own wellbeing.
