The Getting Things Changed programme aimed to address concerns that policy and law do not always translate into practice.
Research identified disabling barriers not fully overcome by the Equality Act 2010. The Getting Things Changed programme was created to address the concern that policy and law do not always translate into practice with resources from a three-year, UK-based disability studies research programme, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
The scope of the research was wide, covering many contexts, and the programme resulted in a range of resources being developed.
*The Getting Things Changed programme uses the term learning difficulty as an umbrella term to include people with a diagnosed learning disability as well as those with a milder impairment with similar parenting needs.
Successful professional practice when working with parents with learning difficulties
This summary highlights effective practice when working with parents with learning difficulties where there are concerns regarding neglect.
It seeks to answer the following questions to support the development of successful, fair and positive practices:
- What are successful practices when working with parents with learning difficulties?
- How is success defined by professionals, parents with learning difficulties and children?
- What facilitates successful practices?
Successful practices in supporting parents with learning difficulties
Explore how parents with learning difficulties can be supported to be good parents in this video.
Working well with parents facilitates them to confidently and successfully parent their children involves the six Ts:
- Time: professionals spending extra time with parents, getting to know them and their needs, explaining things and showing them how to do things.
- Trust: mutual trust is important for developing positive relationships where parents feel heard and respected.
- Tenacity: professionals sticking with parents and working through difficult issues together.
- Truthfulness: professionals being honest with parents about why they are worried about the children and what might happen to them. Parents also being honest about what they were unsure about what to do or were worried about their children.
- Transparency: everyone knows and understands what is happening.
- Tailored response: the support is tailored to parents' needs and is right for them.
Parents said they liked:
- Having an adult social worker.
- Making friends with other parents through parenting groups or college courses.
Professionals said parents with learning difficulties need:
- Support from professionals around developing parenting skills and tackling difficult issues.
- Support from professionals to understand all the things they need to do to keep their children well and safe.