Nursery World - Disabled parents losing out

Moving responsibility for children from the Department of Health to the Department for Education and Skills could widen the gap between children's and adults' community care services in England, making it even harder for disabled parents to get the help they need, a report published last week for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has warned. The report, Supporting disabled adults in their parenting role, was the work of a taskforce made up of representatives from government, social services, voluntary organisations and disabled parents' organisations. It criticised the development of Primary Care Trusts and Government plans to focus services in Children's Trusts, as outlined in its recent Green Paper Every child matters.

The report, Supporting disabled adults in their parenting role, was the work of a taskforce made up of representatives from government, social services, voluntary organisations and disabled parents' organisations. It criticised the development of Primary Care Trusts and Government plans to focus services in Children's Trusts, as outlined in its recent Green Paper Every child matters.

The report said, 'Joint working between adults' and children's services may become more difficult, and disabled parents in contact with children's services - because their children have been identified as being "in need" or "at risk" - may find it harder to get assistance with their parenting role.' It said disabled parents in these situations were at risk of losing their children into care.

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