Formal support for parents with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic: Analysis of educational needs, knowledge, experiences and available home-based support
Abstract
Background. The continuing process of deinstitutionalisation in the Czech Republic has led to increasing number of opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to make decisions about their lives, including those related to relationships and parenthood.
Thus it is important to examine whether social workers who provide support to parents with intellectual disabilities, have necessary competencies, knowledge, skills and strategies, and whether they are able to effectively work with these parents and support them. The quality of support provided to parents with intellectual disabilities has been researched, on an international level (Jones 2013; McConnell & Sigurjónsdóttir 2010; Tarleton & Porter 2012, Tarlton, 2008).
However, this topic has been largely ignored in the Czech Republic, both from a research and services perspective. Yet interaction between social workers and parents with intellectual disabilities is crucial, and its quality can influence how parents with intellectual disabilities manage their parenting role.
Method. The aim of the study was to map and analyse possibilities of formal support provided to parents with intellectual disabilities in the Czech Republic.
The authors surveyed 480 social workers, who support parents with intellectual disabilities, in order to analyse their knowledge, experiences and educational needs. The data was analysed using factor analysis.
Results. The findings demonstrate that social workers are not sufficiently prepared to support parents with intellectual disabilities.
This appeared to be also caused by the lack of professional preparation, which only minimally included topics such as sexuality and parenthood by people with intellectual disabilities. The participants indicated their need for professional development in the area of knowledge about support provision for parents with intellectual disabilities and for involuntary clients of their services.