Supporting parents with learning disabilities in Scotland

Families and Carers | Last Updated: 13 Apr 26

Background

Parents with learning disabilities have the same rights to family life as the general population but often face significant stigma and limited access to appropriate support. Previous research in Scotland suggested progress was being made in supported parenting services. However, due to major changes to health and social care structures, increased financial pressures, and the effects of the pandemic, it was important to examine the current context for parent with learning disabilities in Scotland to inform future policy and practice.

What we did

This aimed to investigate what structured parenting support is available, how services work together, how accessible assessments and information are, how many parents with learning disabilities there are in Scotland, and what outcomes children experience when a parent has learning disabilities.

We collected data across Scotland using three methods: a national online survey of professionals (45 respondents across 17 areas), Freedom of Information requests to all 31 Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs), and interviews with social workers. We also worked closely with People First (Scotland) Parent Group, who contributed throughout the project.

What we found

We found that structured supported parenting programmes are extremely limited across Scotland, with only three HSCPs reporting dedicated services. Most areas do not routinely collect data on parents with learning disabilities or outcomes for their children. Where data were available, only ~10% of children lived with their birth parent(s), with most children in care. Professionals and parents reported significant stigma, limited reasonable adjustments in parenting assessments, poor access to accessible information, and insufficient advocacy and legal support. Mental health impacts on parents and children were substantial, particularly when children were removed. This project developed eight national recommendations focused on data collection, accessible information, inter-service training, advocacy, mental health support, and the development of flexible supported parenting programmes.

This research was led by the University of Glasgow, in partnership with People First (Scotland) Parent Group. This project was funded by the Scottish Government. The full report for this report can be found at the link below.

Group member(s) involved in this research

25 125 SLDO Staff Arlene Mcgarty 002 staff image

Dr Arlene McGarty

Arlene is a Research Fellow at the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory. Arlene is interested in lifestyle behaviours (for example, physical activity and sedentary behaviour) and how these impact the health of people with learning disabilities. She is also interested in finding ways to change these behaviours to help people with learning disabilities lead healthier and happier lives. Some of the projects that Arlene works on include: School-based “active play” for children with learning disabilities. Understanding walking opportunities in adults with learning disabilities. Increasing motor development skills in children with learning disabilities. Measuring energy expenditure in adults with learning disabilities.

Angela Henderson

Angela was formerly the Director for Policy and Impact for the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory and remains an affiliate team member, having moved in 2024 to work with the Scottish Government leading the development of annual health checks and learning disabilities data. Angela is interested in how evidence is used in policy making and was involved in many projects at the Observatory. These included: Understanding the impact of Covid-19 on people with learning disabilities The Research Voices Project Helping to set up the SPIRE learning disabilities data project Analysing information about drug prescribing for people with learning disabilities

Professor Deborah Cairns

Deborah is the Director of the Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory and Professor of Health and Neurodevelopmental Conditions, in the School of Health and Wellbeing, at the University of Glasgow. Deborah is passionate about her research which aims to improve the health of people with learning disabilities and their families. She has worked on many different projects about people with learning disabilities including: cancer incidence, cancer screening, multi-morbidity (having two or more health conditions), oral health and COVID-19, to name a few. She has also worked on projects about the physical and mental health of family members who support someone with a learning disability. Deborah is committed to conducting research that has impact and works closely with self-advocates with learning disabilities, family carers and third sector organisations who are pivotal in all of her work and who have a shared vision of ensuring the human rights of all people with learning disabilities are recognised, supported and upheld. Read more about Deborah here.