The report states that the combination of disability and risk is one of the most explicit forms of discrimination parents with disability face. This is magnified for First Nations parents with disability.
Interviews were conducted with parents with disability, advocates, caseworkers, service providers, Children’s Court clinicians and lawyers in New South Wales and Victoria to hear from those who have experience with child protection systems. From these interviews, participants outlined examples of risk assessments being conducted in ways that didn’t accommodate for their disability or cultural background.
The report finds that parents with disability are over-represented as subjects of child protection allegations, investigations and proceedings.
The findings indicate that law, policy, practice and funding reforms are necessary for parents with disability to uphold their human rights and look after their children where practicable.
Twenty-seven recommendations are made in the report.
Download report (off-site)- Topics:
- Child protection and relinquishment
- Author:
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Western Sydney University
- Source:
- Disability Royal Commission
- Date published:
- Tue 11th Jul, 2023