New Project Supports Disabled Parents in NI

Circles Network

Circles Network is a national voluntary organization which has lead the way in the development of circles of support in the UK. The charity was set up in 1994 with the educational objective to build inclusive communities and has since expanded rapidly, and through the many circles of support, our training programmes and our specific projects, we now support thousands of people each year.

Aims of the network

The organisation's aims are to support people who are either experiencing social exclusion or are at risk of being isolated through disability or long term illness, to become included in the full spectrum of community life. Our work takes us into every dimension of life. Childhood and parenting, disability and transition, criminality and employment, family dynamics and ethnicity, mental health and advocacy are just some of the areas of human experience in which we are involved.

Norah Fry Research

Research carried out earlier this year, by the Norah Fry Research Centre at Bristol University, has shown that around 50% of parents who have learning difficulties have their children taken away from them, in many cases due to the absence of appropriate support. In the 21st century it is shocking that support is not available to parents with learning difficulties and, judging from the recent media coverage in Northern Ireland of the case in Newry and Mourne District where a mother was sent home from hospital without her baby because there was no appropriate support in place, it is clear that this support is not available to parents with physical impairments either.

Disabled people have no right to be parents?

Sadly, negative and stereotypical attitudes still persist and many feel disabled people do not have the right to be parents. However, both the research report and recent stories in the news have clearly touched the heart of a very generous individual who wants to make a difference. Circles Network are well known for providing support to disabled parents in England and Wales and after a recent conference showcasing our work an anonymous donation was received which has enabled Circles to provide this support in Northern Ireland – introducing the Positive Parenting Project.

Positive Parenting Project

Whilst acknowledging the safety of the child is of paramount importance, the Positive Parenting Project (PPP) aims to work side by side with parents with learning difficulties, physical and/or sensory impairments and enduring mental health issues offering support, education, and advocacy and promoting positive parenting. The support offered will vary greatly and will be determined by the individual needs of the parent. For one is may only be a listening ear that is required, for another it may be practical support in day to day parenting issues.

We at Circles Network strongly believe that this project can bring about many positive changes to the current trends – through effective, non-judgmental and consistent support and multi-agency working we can make a difference in these families lives, help them to stay together wherever possible and have the same life chances that everyone is entitled to.