An advocacy project is to offer help to parents with learning disabilities who are facing child protection proceedings.

Mencap's Advocacy Group for Parents project will run pre-natal and post-natal sessions for parents with learning disabilities in London. Two advocacy workers will help mothers and fathers by advising them if they face child protection issues.

The advocates could help parents find a solicitor or go with them to court to act as an advocate. The project will also work with social care professionals to raise awareness of problems faced by mothers and fathers with learning disabilities.

The three-year project is backed with £160,000 from the City Bridge Trust. It will run in Tower Hamlets and Newham.