Supporting disabled parents through care proceedings and beyond
Who We Are
The Anchor Collective is a registered CIC and disabled person led organisation working to level the playing field for disabled parents involved in care proceedings. Our vision is to become the UK’s leading Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisation (DDPO) specialising in this work - providing practical, accessible, and rights-based support throughout the process.
We work alongside families and professionals to ensure that disabled parents can fully participate in care proceedings, with reasonable adjustments in place and clear, timely support. Our approach centres long-term, holistic advocacy in care proceedings and beyond, supporting parents to navigate complex systems with confidence and stability. Our goal is to promote better outcomes for families, professionals, and communities.
Our Organisation
The Anchor Collective is co-founded and led by two disabled professionals with over fifteen years of combined experience in direct advocacy, service oversight and strategic input in care proceedings cases.
We are currently delivering individually commissioned advocacy in partnership with local authorities as part of a structured implementation of a wider, free at the point of use advocacy model
We offer commissioned advocacy for disabled parents involved in care proceedings, working with local authorities and legal professionals across England
We are able to offer other forms of advocacy on a case by case basis, please contact us for further information regarding this
Our Approach
Trauma-Informed
We recognise that care proceedings often overlap with experiences of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and historical trauma. Our work is rooted in an understanding of how trauma shapes how parents engage with services. We aim to reduce re-traumatisation, support informed participation, and offer care that recognises the depth of what many parents carry into these systems.
Feminist and Disability Justice Led
Our team draws on extensive lived experience, alongside professional training in advocacy, VAWG, cultural competence, and the social model of disability - enabling us to offer informed, collaborative advocacy rooted in justice and care.
Rights-Based
Every disabled parent has the right to participate fully and fairly in legal processes that affect their family. We work to ensure those rights are respected by supporting informed decision-making, meaningful participation, and access to the support needed throughout the process.
Harm Reduction Focused
We support parents navigating the aftermath of care proceedings and child removal. Our work focuses on breaking and preventing cycles of repeat removals by addressing the root causes including, but not limited to: housing instability, poverty, unaddressed trauma, and lack of access to contraception. We offer practical, non-judgemental tools to help parents regain stability, reduce future harm, and make empowered decisions about their lives and families.
Support our work
You can become a contributor to our cause by clicking below