The latest report produced by the Toddler Observatory takes stock of the living conditions of children needing special support and those of their parents, as well as the services offered to them. Several sad observations are made there. Access to health services, as well as quality childcare services, is even more difficult for them than for other families.
All things considered, the socio-economic conditions in which these families find themselves are unfortunately less good. Incidentally, these children are not supported in developing their full potential and the mental health of their parents is more at risk.
Working towards greater inclusion of all children in society means first and foremost ensuring that their fundamental rights are respected. But it also means working on the determinants of a just, egalitarian society and, ultimately, one without poverty.
It is deplorable that a society as rich as ours fails to meet the needs of all children and to better support parents of children in need of special support. However, several possible solutions are already well known!
When we think about the challenges experienced by children needing special support, the reflex will be to turn to the Ministers of Health and Social Services to ask for change. We know that waiting times to access screening, rehabilitation or mental health services have the consequence of delaying care for specific problems, but also more broadly affect the lives of these families and those around them.
However, solutions to equality issues cannot be the responsibility of a single department. The Ministers of Education, Family and Employment and Social Solidarity are necessarily among the stakeholders of interest. Likewise, concerted action by as many civil society actors as possible, at all levels, must be put forward.
The renewal of the Government Action Plan to combat poverty and social exclusion may represent a great opportunity to operationalize the government’s interdepartmental work in early childhood and to reiterate the importance of concerted action.
In order to leave no one behind, to ensure the inclusion of all and to combat poverty effectively and in the long term, it is imperative that the new version of the plan includes early childhood, children in need of special support and their parents, the spearhead of prevention in this area.
The children of today, and the society of tomorrow, deserve it.