CYP Now - Let's support the parents with disabilities

There are an increasing number of families in the UK where the parents have learning difficulties. However, despite government commitments in England and Scotland to support parents with learning disabilities so their children's life chances will be maximised, the evidence suggests that neither health nor social care services are adequately meeting their needs. A recent report from the Norah Fry Centre at the University of Bristol highlighted that about half of all parents with learning difficulties have their children taken away from them.

The importance of parents is undeniable and the home environment remains the most crucial factor in shaping the shorter- and longer-term prospects for children's wellbeing and achievement. Many parents struggle at times with their role, and this has been recognised by the proliferation in parenting and family support programmes available through, for example, Sure Start Children's Centres. However, where parents have a learning difficulty, there is often little on offer that is tailored to meet their needs.

Nevertheless, there are some examples of excellent practice on this. Daventry and South Northants Family Centre, run by NCH, was inspired to create a course for parents with learning difficulties after it found a number of parents struggling to keep up with their parenting course.

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