title: The role of formal support in the lives of children of mothers with intellectual disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mothers with intellectual disability face socioeconomic disadvantage and social isolation, which is associated with poorer child outcomes. Social services feature prominently in the lives of mothers with intellectual disability especially those without informal support; however, the role of formal support in the lives of their children has not been explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven children aged 7-11 years took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their social experiences. Stories about interactions at home, school and with peers were analysed to illuminate influences, including social support, in their lives.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Formal support can provide an enduring relationship for children from socially restricted homes when it focuses on the child's abilities, interests and needs as distinct from those of their mother. Child-focused support can be from a paid worker or volunteer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family support services need to apply a child focus to improve the well-being of children in vulnerable families.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Arts and Social Science, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0344-7399
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Collings
authors.affiliation: Children and Families Research Centre, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.affiliation: Family and Disability Studies, Centre for Disability Research and Policy, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Gwynnyth
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Llewellyn
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009517:New South Wales; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: child well-being; disadvantaged families; intellectual disability; social support