Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyse the system of formal support for parents with intellectual disabilities, and readiness of social workers to work with this population of parents. THEORETICAL BASE: The continuing deinstitutionalization and the ever-increasing opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to choose their way of life in mainstream society and to live with partners, urge us to explore whether the available support is adequate to these parents.
METHOD: There were 39 social workers who took part in the focus groups; these were social workers working at non-government organisations, and child welfare workers. The focus groups were analysed using content analysis approach.
OUTCOMES: The findings reveal that professionals often conduct their work intuitively, without a wider knowledge of appropriate work techniques and methodological support. Furthermore, the set-up of the social services system does not correspond with the needs of these parents.
Most glaring is the absence of suitable residential and home-based services. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATION: The findings indicate that there is a need to improve professional preparation by including the topic of parenting of people with intellectual disabilities.
The social workers need to learn about suitable ways of providing support to this population of parents.