Dear mary
I'm doing some research about how professionals talk and think about their
work with parents with learning disabilities. I'm interested in the social
constructions of these parents and of professional support that the workers
refer to. I've spoken to a number of health visitors so far. I'm still at
an early stage of my analysis, but it has struck me that the health
visitors use of terms like 'empowerment' and 'client centred' sets up
conflicts with professional concerns about protection of children, and
about normative models of child development and parenting that health
visitors feel parents should adhere to. I don't think any of my
participants seemed very familiar with social models of disability, and did
not make links between learning disability and wider disability issues. On
the whole, they seemed very thoughtful and sympathetic and prepared to give
a lot of time to parents with learning disabilities, but rather stuck in a
quandary about how to support these parents and without much guidance from
their managers.
Some of the references relating to professional issues which I've found
useful are below. I thought Tom Shakespeare's book 'Help' brought out a
number of the dilemas involved in 'helping' which resonated with me.
What is your responsibility in this area? I've got quite a few references
on parents with learning disabilities - overall the conclusion is they feel
let down by services. I don't think there is a great deal that refers
explicitly to health visitors though. there are also self-advocacy groups
for parents with learning disabilities that you could consult with to hear
more about their experiences.
Abbott, P. and Wallace, C., Eds, (1990). The Sociology of The Caring
Professions. London: The Falmer Press.
Brechin, A., Walmsey, J. Kaltz, J. and Peace, S. (eds). Care Matters:
Concepts, Practice and Research in Health and Social Care. London: Sage.
Fox, N. J. (1995) Postmodern perspectives on care: the vigil and the
gift. Critical Social Policy, 44(5) 107-125
Minke, K.M.S. Parent-Professional relationships in early intervention: a
qualitative investigation. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education,
Vol 15 (3), 335-352
Shakespeare, T. (2000). Help. Birmingham: Venture Press.
Hope this is helpful,
Deborah
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