New research highlights the challenges faced by parents with learning disabilities or difficulties in care proceedings, revealing gaps in support, late identification, and systemic barriers.
The Nuffield Family Justice Observatory has published a new paper, “What are the experiences of parents with learning disabilities or difficulties in care proceedings?” bringing together key findings from multiple studies. The report highlights concerning patterns in how the family justice and social care systems interact with parents who have learning disabilities or difficulties.
Key Findings
- Overrepresentation in Care Proceedings: A high proportion of care cases involve parents with learning disabilities or difficulties, yet their needs often go unrecognised until court.
- Late Identification and Lack of Tailored Support: Many parents only receive a diagnosis during proceedings, meaning they miss out on vital early support.
- Gaps in Services and Advocacy: Poor coordination between adult and children’s social care can leave parents without the help they are entitled to. Advocacy and specialist assessments are inconsistent, affecting parents’ ability to engage in the process.
- The Issue of ‘Substituted Parenting’: The term is often used to justify child removal without clear analysis of whether the right support could keep families together.
Read the full report here: Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
At the Institute of Public Care (IPC), we believe in promoting fair and evidence-based decision-making in social care. This report highlights crucial areas where the system must improve to better support vulnerable parents. Let’s keep the conversation going.
