Trends in Parent Carer Blame: Patterns of service for children with a disability or mental illness referred to children’s social care.

Abstract

This study analyses data from the Annual Children in Need Census (2015-2023) obtained via Freedom of Information requests to examine whether there has been a shift towards a more investigative approach in handling cases involving children with disabilities or mental health concerns in England. The results show a 77.1% increase in assessments identifying these concerns, now comprising a quarter of all assessments. For children with disabilities or mental health concerns, Section 47 investigations surged by 145.2%, compared to a 45.4% rise for children without these factors. Simultaneously, the proportion of children whose primary need was classified as "disability or illness" dropped by 17.4%, indicating a declining focus on addressing their specific needs. The study echoes concerns from parent-led groups and prior research, suggesting that social care services are increasingly treating families of disabled children as potential risks rather than focusing on their needs, fostering "parent carer blame." This trend, rooted in a risk-averse social work culture, highlights the need to reconsider current assessment practices, which may be intrusive and harmful to families seeking support. The findings call for a re-evaluation of social care policies to better address the needs of disabled children without defaulting to investigative procedures.