A system that promises support, but leaves too many behind
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Still Left Out calls on the provincial government to immediately provide much-needed supports for the children and youth with disabilities and their families across British Columbia who are currently under-served.
We are in need of help right now. It’s incredible that this dialogue is taking years and years. Time is flying and my son is not getting the supports he needs. Before you know it, he’ll be 18 and out of the system
Parent
From Hope to Frustration
The Representative for Children and Youth’s report Still Left Out reveals that children and youth with disabilities in B.C. continue to face the same systemic barriers identified years ago, despite government promises of reform. Through follow-ups with families and a province-wide survey, the report exposes how fragmented, under-resourced, and difficult-to-navigate services leave many children without the supports they need to thrive. It calls on government to take immediate, tangible action to deliver on long-overdue commitments and ensure no child with disabilities is left waiting for care.
BCEdAccess Society reported that in its 2022-23 survey,
families turned up almost 6,000 incidents of school exclusions.
The number of reported exclusions lasting four months or more jumped
over the previous year. Kindergarten and Grade 1 were the most excluded grades, each accounting for 12 per cent of total exclusions.
“I am currently doing the work of at least 2.5 people. It’s untenable. Phone calls don’t get returned, notes don’t get entered, family plans and care plans don’t get written. Deadlines are missed. It is impossible.”
– Angela Clancy, Executive Director with the Family Support Institute of BC
Key SyStemic Themes
This report highlights that families of children with disabilities in British Columbia are still struggling within a system that is inaccessible, inconsistent, and excluding of many children and youth with disabilities.
Despite government commitments to reform, most families report worsening conditions and declining confidence in receiving essential supports. The report emphasizes the urgent need for equitable redesign grounded in inclusive policies, timely action, and sustained resource investment.
Recommendations at a glance
Assess Service Needs
- MCFD should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the actual need for CYSN (Children and Youth with Support Needs) services across B.C. and evaluate the capacity of the current system to meet those needs
Improve Accessibility
Take immediate steps to enhance access to CYSN services and supports by:
- Providing respite care within a reasonable timeframe
- Eliminating the requirement for families to choose between medical and respite benefits
- Monitoring and ensuring follow-up with families not currently using autism funding
Develop Integrated Services
- MCFD should collaborate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education to create an integrated service delivery model that enables appropriate information sharing between service providers
