Institutionalised parent carer blame

In the previous article we looked at the issue of parent carer guilt. Unfortunately, there are some inherent biases in the systems (that are supposed to support us), which may make our guilt even worse.

Research from Professor Luke Clements, Ana Laura Aiello and Cerebra have shown that some parents of disabled children who approached social services for support were treated with suspicion. 

The ‘Institutionalising Parent Blame’ Report’s ‘Key Messages’ noted that:

• ‘National and local social care policies in England create a default position for those assessing disabled children, that assumes parental failings. This approach locates the problems associated with a child’s impairment in the family.

• The national guidance that directs the process by which disabled children are assessed by English Children’s Services Departments (‘Working Together 2018’) is not fit for purpose and arguably unlawful. Its focus is on safeguarding children from parental neglect / abuse and it fails to address the distinct assessment and support needs of disabled children for whom there is no evidence of neglect or abuse.

• Unlike the national guidance concerning the assessment of disabled adults, ‘Working Together 2018’ contains no requirement that those assessing the needs of disabled children have any disability related expertise, skills or experience.’

Furthermore, of the 143 local authority assessment protocols identified the report found that:

• ‘None contained a clear explanation that a different approach should be taken concerning the assessment of the needs of disabled children where the referral was not accompanied by evidence of neglect or abuse.’

This suggests that when parents of disabled children approach social services for support there is an assumption that there is a safeguarding risk.

Even routine medical appointments can often begin with ‘do you or have you ever had a social worker for your family’ which is framed as a ‘safeguarding question’. This disregards the fact that some families have a social worker who helps them to co-ordinate care for their child or supports a family where there are complex needs. Where families have received appropriate support from social services they have found it extremely helpful and it has benefited the whole family.

This research is key in highlighting the difficulties some families face when asking for help from social services and is an important step in ensuring better support. There is a further report with suggestions on how social services can work with families with a disabled child including increased training here.

If you need help from social services knowing that you are entitled to seek support, without their being an assumption of neglect or abuse, can hopefully ensure you get the assistance you require.


Further information:

Supporting Parent Carers – article for the British Association of Social Workers