Support not suspicion

The report finds that disabled children from minority groups face even more ‘hurdles’ to accessing social care than white disabled children, and their families. Children are suffering from higher levels of anxiety and isolation, and poorer mental health.

The DCP is urging the Department for Education to focus on supporting disabled children in black and Asian ethnic minority communities, in its reforms to children’s social care.

Why Black and minority ethnic families face additional barriers

Families interviewed said they experience many of the same barriers that all families face to accessing social care- a lack of suitable provision in their local area, or feeling that social services look at families through a child protection lens first.

But they also highlighted that Black and minority ethnic families often face additional barriers, due to a lack of cultural awareness, cultural stereotypes, and instances of racism from social services. This is on top of the stigmatisation and discrimination that many faced through having a disabled child in the family.

The report describes this as having “a layering effect on parents’ emotional strength, confidence and ability to engage with services when needing support”. One possible outcome of this is that families may be less likely to reach out, or get the support they need.

The literature review found lacking research into Black and ethnic minority families’ experiences of disabled children’s social care. Which means this research is even more valuable.

All parts of the research were co-produced with Black and ethnic minority parents of disabled children. Parent researchers carried out interviews with parent participants, and took part in the literature review. They also looked for other research that has been done about the same issues.

Disabled Children’s Partnership and Family Fund

Clare says: “Family Fund is a member of the steering group of the Disabled Children’s Partnership. We help to set the direction of the coalition and its priorities so I was pleased to sit on the advisory group to support the development of this research. At Family Fund we know it is important to understand the specific needs of Black and ethnic minority families with disabled children.

This is so we ensure we are offering relevant support and information and make sure news of our grant programmes reaches everyone who needs them. I learned so much supporting the researchers. I was able to hear stories from families interviewed before the report was released. They shared frustrations, as well as good examples, of social care that helped make day-to-day family life more manageable. The report includes many powerful quotes from these interviews:

I thought, I can’t be the only Muslim Asian parent who’s got a child with special needs, who’s struggling, who’d like to meet other parents who understand our cultural and faith nuances that other people may not understand- research participant

I hope that by being part of this research project, Family Fund has been able to contribute to better understanding of how Black and ethnic minority families with disabled children need social services to support them.

Better understanding will bring better support, and hopefully make families’ lives easier.