Systemic influences on parent carer mental health and co-creation of resources to inform service improvement

This webinar will share findings from the SPaCE Project (Supporting Parent Carers in England), a co-produced research programme exploring the mental health of parent carers of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Drawing on national survey and clinical data, interviews, and workshops with parent carers and professionals, the project found that parent carers experience significantly higher rates of mental health difficulties than other parents, alongside substantial barriers to accessing support or treatment for their mental health. Through a collaboratively developed system map and lived-experience insights, the session will highlight how systemic pressures, inequalities, and service navigation challenges shape parent carer wellbeing. The webinar will also introduce practical outputs co-created with parent carers, including an interactive website, an animation, and free training for professionals designed to foster more compassionate, trauma-aware, and relational practice and to drive meaningful system change.

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Speakers: Gretchen Bjornstad, Kath Wilkinson, Flora Hemming, Bel McDonald, and Sharon Foxwell

Queries? Contact: Claire Ashmore – c.ashmore@keele.ac.uk