PARENTING WITH LEARNING-DIFFICULTIES - LESSONS FOR PRACTITIONERS

Parents with learning difficulties form an underserved needs group whose numbers are steadily increasing and are likely to continue to do so as a result of deinstitutionalization, community care and the acceptance of 'ordinary life' principles as a basis for service provision. This article reviews the research literature on parenting by people with learning difficulties in order to draw out the lessons for practitioners and to assist them in developing a clearer view of their aims and approach when working with these families. Case vignettes from an ongoing study of mothers and fathers with learning difficulties are used to illustrate the common themes. The authors conclude that service providers still have much to learn about how best they can secure and uphold the citizenship rights of these parents as well as protect the welfare of their children.