Life can be especially difficult for parents who have learning difficulties. It is often hard for them to find the information and support they need to succeed in their role and this can lead to their children being involved.

The Parents Advocacy Project recruits and trains volunteer advocates who support and speak up for parents who have learning difficulties. They may enable the parents to get more help at home, or they may represent them at a Child Protection Review and other meetings. Sometimes advocates help parents to start to get their life together after their child has been removed.

Helping parents with learning disabilities to have their say
This project, initially financed for 3 years by Comic Relief, with substantial recent additional funding from Lankelly Foundation and BILD, started in January 2002 to meet the increasing need for advocate support for parents with learning disabilities. Parents may have to deal with a wide range of agencies and with particularly stressful situations such as child protection conferences. Advocates help parents to take part effectively in meetings, and to access specialist support. The Project has grown steadily and, to date, 11 partnerships have been set up. One project worker, Debbie, is currently focusing on recruiting and training advocates to meet parents’ needs and on developing knowledge and training appropriate for this highly sensitive field for example in supporting parents who lose their children to adoption to cope with their grief.