The grant will fund further work on the Working Together With Parents Network (WTWPN), a free resource that updates professionals working with parents who have learning difficulties about relevant policy changes, advice, research and positive practice.

The University-led initiative, which has around 500 members, aims to help parents with learning difficulties and their children get the right support to ensure they stay together in the family setting.

Members reported that the network supported them in championing parents with learning difficulties in their local areas and helped to raise awareness about national issues affecting their services.

Laurence Scott from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation said: “We are very pleased to be able to support the Working Together With Parents Network. The work forms a close fit with our social change interests around tackling institutional barriers to disadvantage and redressing inequality.”

Beth Tarleton, who is leading the project for the University’s Norah Fry Research Centre, added: “The Norah Fry Research Centre is looking forward to working in close partnership with Learning Disability Wales and the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability to develop and promote positive practice, and to influence policy at local and national level.”