A new briefing highlights how Adult Services can better support parents with a learning disability – an issue linked with increased involvement in the child protection system and, too often, family separation.
Research shows that parents with learning disabilities are disproportionately represented in the child protection system and more likely to have their children removed. The publication, Supporting parents with a learning disability – the role of Adult Services (2026), forms part of a growing body of work that aims to strengthen practice, clarify legal responsibilities, and improve outcomes for parents and children.
The briefing will feature in an upcoming national webinar on 30 April, where researchers will share messages from the briefing, including findings from NIHR-funded studies examining how Adult Services and Children’s Services can work together more effectively to meet parents’ needs. Key findings from the project were that services need to move toward relationship-based practice that empowers parents rather than having professionals take over parenting tasks.
Parents with learning disabilities: Key characteristics and terminology
In the UK, a learning disability is generally defined by a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and learn new skills, combined with a reduced ability to cope independently, starting before adulthood. While a diagnosis often involves an IQ under 70, research indicates that IQ alone is not a reliable predictor of parenting capacity. For parents with an IQ of 60 and above, the primary predictor of successful parenting is the presence of an adequate structure of professional and informal support.
We use the term ‘learning disabilities’ to include parents with a diagnosed learning disability as well as those with a milder or borderline learning disability, who have similar support needs, often known as having a ‘learning difficulty’.
Working together with parents with learning disabilities
Professionals working with parents with learning disabilities are welcomed to join the Working Together with Parents Network.
The Working Together with Parents Network supports professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties, and their children. It's a UK-wide network for professionals sharing positive practice that seeks to engage with key stakeholders from adults and children’s social care, health, education, legal and independent advocacy sectors to work towards a common vision and effective ways of joint working.
The network offers dedicated resources designed to support professionals working with parents with learning disabilities and learning difficulties. By joining the network, you will be kept up to date with policy, practice and key legal developments. You will also offered opportunities to exchange knowledge and share practice with fellow professionals and experts across the field.
The Working Together with Parents Network is free to join and is now hosted by Research in Practice, a part of the National Children’s Bureau.
Working together with parents who have learning disabilities: the role of Adult Services
Join an open access webinar that will explore key messages from a new research briefing on supporting parents with learning disabilities.
Supporting Parents with a learning disability- the role of adult services: Research Briefing (2026)
The briefing brings together findings from a multi-site study exploring how adult and children's social care services can engage parents with learning disabilities, alongside wider research, legal and practical guidance.
Working together with parents with learning disabilities
Professionals working with parents with learning disabilities are welcomed to join the Working Together with Parents Network.