Felix the Cat
05-09-2006, 09:01 PM
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1770957,00.html
Parents with learning difficulties are not being given the support they need to keep their families together, a report published today concludes.
The study - carried out by academics at Bristol University - says around half of all parents with learning difficulties have their children taken into care.
It argues that many of those families could stay together if the parents were given sufficient support, but that some social and health workers have a "negative attitude" to such cases.
Article continues
"We hope, as a result of this study, more parents with learning difficulties will be given the right support so they can be good parents to their children and stay together as a family," Professor Linda Ward, a co-author of the study and the director of the Norah Fry research centre at Bristol University, said.
"Further work needs to be carried out to ensure positive developments and sharing of good practice in supporting parents with learning difficulties at local level with changes at national policy level too."
The study recommends providing parents who have learning difficulties with clear information on all areas of parenting.
It also says eligibility levels for support services should be reviewed because many adults with learning difficulties are deemed "too able" to qualify for additional help.
The Baring Foundation, which funded the research, has awarded a further grant of £120,000 to promote policy change and advise health and social services professionals.
Parents with learning difficulties are not being given the support they need to keep their families together, a report published today concludes.
The study - carried out by academics at Bristol University - says around half of all parents with learning difficulties have their children taken into care.
It argues that many of those families could stay together if the parents were given sufficient support, but that some social and health workers have a "negative attitude" to such cases.
Article continues
"We hope, as a result of this study, more parents with learning difficulties will be given the right support so they can be good parents to their children and stay together as a family," Professor Linda Ward, a co-author of the study and the director of the Norah Fry research centre at Bristol University, said.
"Further work needs to be carried out to ensure positive developments and sharing of good practice in supporting parents with learning difficulties at local level with changes at national policy level too."
The study recommends providing parents who have learning difficulties with clear information on all areas of parenting.
It also says eligibility levels for support services should be reviewed because many adults with learning difficulties are deemed "too able" to qualify for additional help.
The Baring Foundation, which funded the research, has awarded a further grant of £120,000 to promote policy change and advise health and social services professionals.