Families and carers

Active campaigns

Breaking point

Our campaign for families in need of short breaks.

 

Family carers of people with a learning disability receive little help or recognition, and many have to fight for the support they do receive.

Most families of children and adults with a learning disability do not get any form of short break and many have been at breaking point. Many people with a learning disability live in the family home throughout their adult life and receive no support to move out until their parents are very old or die. 

Thousands of people with a learning disability are also parents themselves. They can be good parents if they get the right support at the right time - but often it is not there. As a result, parents with a learning disability are more likely to have their children taken away from them.

Mencap believes that:

• all families and carers must have access to good short break services so they don't reach breaking point
• carers' rights must be respected - and they must be given the support they need
• all parents with a learning disability should receive proper support for themselves and their children.

Take action!

Support our ‘Breaking Point' campaign