20 April 2023
On Yesterday’s Nicky Campbell show on BBC Radio 5 Live the topic of access to Child Trust Funds was discussed.
Young adults who have Down’s syndrome should be treated no less favorably than other young people. The money in their Child Trust Fund belongs to them and they have every right to access this, without having to navigate complex, additional, hurdles.
Many young adults who have Down’s syndrome will have the capacity to consent to access their Child Trust Fund in their own right. For those young adults who lack capacity, it is right that some safeguards are put in place, however, the process needs to be simple and at no cost to the individual.
We are aware that some families have been daunted by the process of applying for deputyship, including the strict stipulations on photographic identification required and for some, the possibility that they may incur fees. This process must be simplified and made cost-free to all those young adults affected.
We are shortly due to submit evidence to the Public Accounts Committee who are seeking evidence on how the current system is unfairly affecting young adults who have a learning disability. We will be ensuring the voice of young adults affected is heard and will be pressing for changes to be made to the current system of accessing Child Trust Funds for those young adults who lack capacity to make it fair to everyone.