The Views of Parents Subject to Child Protection Investigation for their Child or Children with Disabilities: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

Abstract

The views and experiences of parents subject to child protection processes are instrumental for developing rigorous, effective and compassionate child protection practice. Simultaneously, children with disabilities are well established to experience gravely heightened risk of abuse and neglect above their non-disabled peers. Here unique and additional impediments to effective safeguarding practice for children with disabilities are also documented. Even so, there is virtually no research that focuses on the views and experiences of parents of children with disabilities, who were subject to child protection processes, regarding their parenting of those children. With the safety and welfare of children with disabilities at stake, it is suggested that these parental views are critical to gather and comprehend. This article presents qualitative research findings of a study that conducted semi-structured interviews with a sample of parents of children with disabilities in Britain and Ireland. Parental accounts reveal key experiences and learning around being subject to child protection processes. These include avoidable experiences of emotional adversity, and critical learning arising from interactions with child protection procedures and systems. The article concludes with evidence-based reflections on the utmost importance of emotionally sensitive, collaborative child protection work with parents.