News Release, 21 November 2006
New research by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has found that health and social care professionals, family support services and employers largely ignore the needs of fathers who have a child with a learning disability. The charity has published Recognising Fathers, a booklet to help staff, service commissioners, policy makers and employers better understand the issues faced by fathers.
The research reveals that whilst many fathers take an active role in caring for their child, this goes unrecognised by services. In addition, employers are neglecting the needs of fathers by failing to inform them of their rights and provide flexible arrangements to allow men to combine work and care. Pay and career opportunities are also reduced, leading families to experience greater poverty.
Alison Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, says:
“Support for families raising a child with a learning disability is often geared towards the mother, leaving many fathers feeling demoralised and excluded from decisions affecting their son or daughter.
“We welcome the Government’s Gender Equality Duty, which is due to be introduced next April, forcing services to think about how they engage with fathers. Our booklet will help professionals to understand the needs of dads who have a child with a learning disability, and allow them to work more closely together. It is important that fathers feel supported and empowered.”
The Recognising Fathers booklet highlights key findings from the research and makes recommendations to help employers, practitioners and service commissioners understand the issues faced by fathers and engage better with them.
Ends
Return to News Releases 2006
Note to editors
For further information please contact the Press Office on 020 7803 1130 / 1128 or email Press Office.
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
- Spread knowledge and information.
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