Safe Homes for Disabled Children is a national campaign calling for an end to the use of emergency accommodation — including B&Bs, hostels and hotels — for disabled children. The campaign brings together charities, parliamentarians, disability advocates, academics,clinicians and families to push for policy change so that disabled children are not placed in accommodation that cannot meet their needs.

The campaign was launched because new research suggests that around 21,000 disabled children may currently be living in temporary accommodation across England. Many are living in housing that is inaccessible or unsuitable for their needs, including accommodation without lifts, adapted bathrooms or sufficient space for equipment and support.

The campaign is calling for:

• A national policy preventing disabled children from being placed in emergency accommodation.

• Better regulation of the quality and accessibility of temporary accommodation.

• A maximum time limit on how long disabled children can remain in temporary accommodation.

No. The immediate focus is on ending the use of emergency accommodation such as B&Bs, hostels and hotels for disabled children. The campaign recognises that temporary accommodation remains part of the housing system, but argues that disabled children should never be placed in accommodation that cannot safely meet their needs.

The figure is an estimate based on Freedom of Information requests sent to all English local authorities. Data from 122 councils identified 6,476 disabled children in temporary accommodation. Researchers then used a statistical methodology to estimate a national figure. The central estimate was 20,563 children, which has been rounded to approximately 21,000.

The report combines its own findings with a substantial body of existing research showing links between housing insecurity, unsuitable accommodation, poor health and poorer educational outcomes. While individual circumstances vary, the evidence consistently shows that unsuitable housing can worsen physical and mental health, especially for vulnerable children.

The number comes from data provided by the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) and is not a count of all children who died while living in temporary accommodation. Rather, it refers to cases where the relevant Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) had completed its review and identified temporary accommodation as a factor that may have contributed to the child's vulnerability, ill health or death.

Specifically, the figure covers:

• Children aged 0-17 in England

• Deaths occurring between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2025

• Cases where the CDOP review had been completed by 31 October 2025

• Reviews in which temporary accommodation was identified as a contributory factor to vulnerability, ill health or death.

Using this methodology, NCMD identified 104 deaths. Of these:

• 76 (73%) were children under the age of one

• 28 (27%) were aged 1-17.

This figure is distinct from the separate statistic that 140 children died while their usual residence was temporary accommodation between October 2023 and September 2025. That broader figure records all deaths of children living in temporary accommodation, regardless of cause. NCMD notes that the contributory role of temporary accommodation in many of these cases will only be established through the child death review process, meaning the figure of 104 may increase as more reviews are completed.

In short, 104 represents child deaths where an independent child death review identified temporary accommodation as a contributory factor, rather than simply children who happened to be living in temporary accommodation at the time of death.

The report estimates that around 13% of children in temporary accommodation are disabled. More importantly, disabled children often require accessible environments, continuity of care and specialist support. The consequences of unsuitable housing can therefore be more severe than for children without additional needs.

The housing shortage is undoubtedly part of the problem. However, while broader housing reforms are pursued, disabled children are living today in accommodation that often cannot meet their basic needs. The campaign focuses on reducing immediate harm and ensuring that disabled children are prioritised within the existing system.

There are costs associated with providing more suitable accommodation. However, there are also significant costs associated with failing to do so, including increased pressure on health services, social care, education support and crisis interventions. The campaign believes preventing harm is both morally right and economically sensible.

This is not about special treatment. It is about ensuring that disabled children can access housing that meets their basic needs. Under UK equality legislation and safeguarding principles, public bodies already have responsibilities to consider the needs of disabled people and make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.

Yes. Councils are dealing with unprecedented housing pressures. The campaign recognises the challenges local authorities face. However, it also believes that disabled children should not bear the consequences of system failures through being placed in accommodation that cannot safely accommodate them.

No. The campaign is focused on an issue affecting disabled children regardless of which party is in power. It has support from individuals and organisations across political and ideological divides because child welfare and disability rights should not be partisan issues.

All children deserve safe and secure housing. The campaign supports wider efforts to reduce homelessness for all families. However, disabled children often face additional risks when placed in inaccessible or unsuitable accommodation, which is why their needs require specific attention.

These issues are closely connected. Poverty, disability and housing insecurity often overlap. The campaign supports wider measures to reduce poverty, but housing itself is a fundamental determinant of health, wellbeing and life chances. Suitable housing is therefore a critical part of the solution.

The campaign brings together an unusually broad coalition of supporters from across public life. Supporters include senior politicians from multiple parties, children's charities, disability organisations, academics, clinicians, campaigners, broadcasters and people with lived experience. Individuals backing the campaign include Lord Neil Kinnock, Lord Rowan Williams, Lady Cherie Blair, Alastair Campbell, MPs from different political parties, disability advocates, Paralympians and leading academics.

Supporters were approached because they have a longstanding interest in children's rights, disability rights, housing, health or social justice. Many were struck by the evidence showing that thousands of disabled children may be living in unsuitable temporary accommodation and felt the issue deserved greater public attention.

The campaign was co-founded by children's rights campaigner Nabhan Malik, who is coordinating the initiative alongside supporters from the disability, housing and children's sectors.

No. Variety conducted and published the underlying research. Safe Homes for Disabled Children is a separate campaign that uses the evidence to drive awareness and policy change.

The campaign is volunteer-led. There is no corporate sponsor, government funding or commercial backer. Supporters are contributing their time because they believe the issue deserves attention.

The campaign has been developed primarily through voluntary contributions of time and expertise from supporters and partner organisations. The focus has been on maximising impact through collaboration rather than significant campaign spending.

No. The campaign is independent and has supporters from across the political spectrum.

No organisation is directing or controlling the campaign. Charities and campaign supporters have chosen to back the campaign because they share concerns about the issue, but it is not being run on behalf of any single organisation.