Disabled Children's Charter for Health and Wellbeing Boards

Health and Wellbeing Boards are important new bodies that play a key strategic role in the new health system which came into effect on April 1st 2013.

EDCM believes the reformed system must address long-standing problems which leave too many families of disabled children and young people struggling to have their needs met.

What is the Disabled Children's Charter for Health and Wellbeing Boards?

The Charter has been developed to support Health and Wellbeing Boards meet their responsibilities towards disabled children, young people and their families, including children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and health conditions.

Health and Wellbeing Boards who sign the Charter will agree to meet its 7 commitments focusing on improving health outcomes for disabled children, young people and their families, and to provide evidence after 1 year on how they have met each one.


 • Download the Disabled Children's Charter for Health and Wellbeing Boards.

 • Download 'Why sign the Charter?' a guidance document explaining the value of each Charter commitment with reference to Health and Wellbeing Board statutory functions, how to demonstrate they have been met and resources for Health and Wellbeing Boards.

 • Download 'How to meet your Charter commitments', a summary document of the evidence Health and Wellbeing Boards could provide to demonstrate they have met each commitment.

 • Download an easy read guide to the Disabled Children's Charter for Health and Wellbeing Boards. (Alternative formats can be supplied on request.)

How can I get involved in the campaign?

EDCM and The Children's Trust, Tadworth have sent the Charter to every Health and Wellbeing Board in England. Now we need your help! 

Send an email to your Health and Wellbeing Board Chair and urge them to sign the Disabled Children's Charter for Health and Wellbeing Boards.


You can find out which Health and Wellbeing Boards have already signed the Charter here.

Why are Health and Wellbeing Boards important?

Health and Wellbeing Boards will play a key role in the new system:

• they will set the strategic direction for commissioning in health, social care and public health;

• they will make recommendations for joint commissioning and integrating services across health and social care;

• they are intended to strengthen democratic legitimacy through its membership.

Read a briefing from Contact a Family on the role of Health and Wellbeing Boards.

Read another briefing from Contact a Family on why it is important for Health and Wellbeing Boards to target disabled children in their work.