Evaluating Training to Enhance Social Workers’ and Social Service Professionals’ Practice With Parents With Disabilities

Parents with disabilities are disproportionately referred to child protection services. They are more likely to have their children removed, partly due to systemic bias and limited training among social workers and other social service professionals. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a training intervention to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practice skills related to working with parents with disabilities. The 90-minute training, delivered at four sites in one U.S. state, was informed by people with lived experience, researchers, national experts, and current literature. It focused on eight core concepts for working with parents with disabilities and covered the historical treatment of parents with disabilities, key research, relevant policies, evidence-based and promising practices, and best practice tips. Participants completed surveys assessing perceived knowledge, practice confidence, and attitudes using a pretest—posttest design. Paired t-tests showed large and significant improvements in perceived knowledge and skills, as well as moderate shifts in attitudes. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses revealed a dramatic shift from deficit-based concerns towards recognising systemic barriers, such as discrimination and bias. The training offers a promising model for social work practice in the provision of services to parents with disabilities and could be adapted internationally to support more socially just practice with parents with disabilities. IMPLICATIONS Social workers frequently work with parents with disabilities, but most social workers have no training in working with this group. Training can introduce social workers to a core understanding of the interpersonal and structural biases parents with disabilities often face, as well as evidence-based and promising practices. Improving social workers’ perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, and practice will improve services provided to parents with disabilities.