Forum Brief: Disability Report

Social services, the NHS and schools working with disabled parents and their children need to radically re-think attitudes, according to a taskforce set up by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Forum Response: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Jenny Morris, author of the task force's report, said: "There are major problems in the relationship between children's services and adult community care services that could get worse under the arrangements being introduced unless positive steps are taken at both national and local level.

"But beyond the policies and practice protocols, a change of attitude is needed.

"Disabled parents who gave evidence felt that professional thinking and needs assessments were overwhelmingly focused on their incapacity as parents, rather than identifying the right support to enhance their parenting skills and ability.

"Early support, delivered by knowledgeable, non-judgmental managers and staff, would make a tremendous difference to parents' ability to look after their own children."

Forum Response: Voice UK

Kathryn Stone, director of Voice UK, told ePolitix.com: "Voice UK supports many parents with learning difficulties whose children are placed on the at risk register because their parents have learning difficulties.

"These parents are automatically assumed to be bad parents and yet receive little or no support to enable them to manage.

"We fully support these findings and sadly have many examples of this kind of discriminatory practice."