Deaf parents and safeguarding - cultural-linguistic perspectives on parenting assessment

This study concerns parenting assessments in relation to safeguarding in instances when one or more parent is a Deaf BSL (British Sign Language) user. It is a timely topic in light of an increasing number of child removals involving Deaf families and family court guidance that an expert in sign language/Deaf culture and the impact of deafness is required in all family court proceedings involving a Deaf parent. This is an important recognition of the significance of cultural competence in assessments involving Deaf parents who are more readily regarded as disabled rather than minority language users from a recognised cultural community. The study will examine both the current state of social work practice with regard to parenting assessment involving Deaf parents of hearing and/or deaf children from a cross-cultural parenting perspective. It will also explore the means to more effective assessment practice from an asset-based perspective that regards assessment as an opportunity for supportive actions too along the wellbeing-safeguarding-child protection continuum. In a field where there is little evidence but much practice concern the study's findings will be of relevance to advanced child and family practitioner roles to be implemented from 2018 and future developments in light of the Wood review of LSCBs.