Date: 9am - 4pm, 26th of November 2008
Venue: Olive Mount

In recent years, we have become much more aware of the needs of parents with learning disabilities. We are also seeing an increase in the number of referrals made to our service. 

Recently, the Joint Committee on Human Rights highlighted the following:

• Decisions about the future placement of a child of parents with learning disabilities are often undertaken without adequate information, arrangements or support being put into place to enable the parents to demonstrate that they are able to look after their child satisfactorily.
  
• Assessments of parents’ ability were “not accessible and did not test parents abilities of support needs effectively”.
  
• Professional working with parents with learning disabilities often held “negative stereotyped attitudes” relating to learning disability and the parents’ perceived abilities.

The Learning Disabilities Directorate of Mersey Care NHS Trust is keen to take this agenda forward, looking at recent Government legislation and developing good practice in supporting parents with learning disabilities.

The planned day will offer the opportunity for professionals to learn about the Learning Disabilities service and some of the work we have already done with colleagues around this agenda.  The day will also give the Learning Disabilities specialist services the opportunity to meet with colleagues who are already working with parents with learning disabilities, make links and establish relationships to take this exciting work forward.

Download the flyer for more information and bookings (PDF 141kb)