Parents who ask councils for help with a disabled child are automatically blamed for their problems.
That’s the view of Professor Luke Clements and Dr Ana Laura Aiello.
Alex (left) and Cameron Messenger. Mum Amanda says she faced ‘automatic blame’ when seeking help
The Leeds University law academics have penned a report on families’ experiences.
Blame is the default response
They say “institutionalising parent carer blame” is the default council response.
Their research for child brain injuries charity Cerebra says councils take this approach, regardless of whether there is evidence of neglect or abuse.
Amanda Jane Messenger, from Chawton, Hampshire, felt conflict with professionals over her autistic sons Cameron and Alex. It left her facing “insurmountable odds”.
Cameron, 22, also has ADHD, while Alex has a speech and language disorder, auditory processing disorder and dyslexia.
‘Trained not to help’
Messenger said professionals are almost “trained not to help”.
She said she faced “automatic blame” when she went to child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) because Cameron was self-harming.
Sir Edward Davey MP is patron of the Disability Law Service.
He pointed to the fact the report highlights defective Department for Education guidance as the root cause of parent blaming.
Davey said education secretary Gavin Williamson should address the issue “as a matter of urgency”.
‘Humiliating’
Parents complained of social workers always asking to see a child’s bedroom. In some instances, they wanted to see every room.
Families complained assessments are “humiliating” and “devastating”.
The research came out of an online survey based on 92 responses between 21 July and 31 August 2020.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said council policies “reflect Department for Education (DfE) national guidance”.
A DfE spokesperson said the special educational needs system is under review. The aim was to ensure it is “consistent, high quality and integrated across education, health and care”.
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Published: 7 September 2021
