Improving support for expectant parents with learning disabilities

10 Jul 25

A pioneering initiative from (HPFT) is transforming antenatal care for expectant parents who have learning disabilities.

Anca is smiling at the camera wearing brown round glasses, a chunky brown necklace and a pink and black top
Photo of Anca

Anca, a Community Learning Disability Nurse and NICHE Embedded Research Fellow at HPFT in Norfolk, has brought together midwives, social services, and other key partners to co-design a county-wide approach to maternity care, ensuring people receive the personalised support they need from the earliest stages of pregnancy.

In the UK, around 9% of women with learning disabilities become parents. However, many face challenges getting the right care during pregnancy and their needs are often recognised too late, which can lead to poorer outcomes for both parent and baby.

To address this, the project has created a clear and practical framework that helps healthcare professionals with earlier identification during antenatal care of individuals with learning disabilities. This helps to plan and deliver consistent, personalised care throughout a person's pregnancy journey.

Anca also led the development of targeted training for midwives, giving them the skills and confidence to identify and support people with learning disabilities during routine appointments.

“We found that midwives did not always feel confident in recognising those with learning disabilities accessing their clinics,” Anca explains.

“Targeted training and collaboration helped increase their confidence. This is key, because if a learning disability isn’t recognised early, it delays referrals to specialists and the application of reasonable adjustments that are often needed.”

The project has created a more joined-up approach to supporting families. Thanks to Anca’s work, health and care teams are now better equipped to offer more personalised care and are working closely together across services.

Anca’s work has already gained national and international recognition. She presented the project at the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) Conference in Chicago and has been invited to share her insights with NHS England’s Chief Midwifery Officer.

Anca is the first Learning Disabilities Nurse in Norfolk to become a Queen’s Nurse and was awarded the title in last year’s Queen's Nursing Institute (QNI) awards. We are also delighted to share that Anca has recently been shortlisted for a Nursing Times Award for her contribution to improving antenatal care.

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Improving support for expectant parents with learning disabilities