Introduction
This section introduces the Pre-birth Change Project, providing useful information on how to use the resources.
The Pre-birth Change Project draws on research and innovative approaches to pre-birth work, to improve pre-birth services and achieve better outcomes for infants and their parents by supporting change and development in policies and practices. A number of organisations and researchers have contributed to work on which these resources are based. View details of the Data Partnership Team.
The resources are organised into ten key messages:
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Pre-birth work requires a co-ordinated multi-agency response.
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Ensure your practitioners have the understanding and skills to engage families.
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Provide support to minimise the trauma of separation and keep reunification in mind.
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Post-separation support is essential to prevent further trauma and recurrent care proceedings.
Each section explores core issues, challenges and good practices emerging from research in this area. In particular, the resources draw on learning from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory funded Born into Care programme.
The Born into Care research seeks to rethink how mothers facing vulnerabilities, and their babies, are supported by:
- Finding ways to keep mothers and babies together whenever possible.
- Considering new and innovative approaches to make sure mothers receive compassionate and safe care when separation cannot be avoided.
Using the resources
You will find quotes from parents who have first-hand experience of having children’s social care involvement throughout these resources, ensuring their voices remain at the centre of this work.
These resources are designed to be flexible, allowing services and practitioners to engage with the key messages most relevant to their current stage in improving pre-birth practice.
The materials can be explored in any order, however, we recommend starting with Understand and use your data. This will help you reflect on pre-birth practice in your area, guide you toward the key themes most applicable to your needs and help to build a strong foundation for understanding and applying the insights shared.
You may also find it useful to work through the resources with peers and get together to discuss each key messages when you have completed this.
We hope these resources will help support the development of pre-birth work in your area.
Each key theme follows the same structure as outlined below:
Each key message begins with a brief overview of the key issues and challenges in pre-birth work identified by research in this area.
Explore films and resources which dig a little deeper into the issues and challenges and offer alternative approaches to support change in policies and practices in pre-birth work.
Learn about innovative approaches and examples of good practice in pre-birth work, featuring audio clips and films with insights from professionals across various services.
Consider reflective questions, practical suggestions, and ideas to help integrate new perspectives and approaches into policy and practice in your area, supporting the development of effective pre-birth work.
Find further resources that link with this key message.
Further learning
Watch
A film from the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory that explores the Born into Care research on newborn babies in urgent care proceedings in England and Wales. It provides an overview of the range of issues covered in the Change Project resources.
The film features presentations from Professor Karen Broadhurst (Lancaster University), Dr Lucy Griffiths (Swansea University), as well as contributions from services and families.
Read
The Birth Charter for women with involvement from children’s social care from Birth Companions outlines a number of principles for supporting women involved with children’s social care during pregnancy and early parenthood. It outlines examples of best practice, women’s rights, and improved outcomes for mothers and babies.
Pre-birth assessment: Strategic Briefing (2020)
We know that infants are particularly vulnerable, needing care and protection in timeframes consistent with developmental needs. We also know that the perinatal period is a crucial time for development and a good opportunity to harness the desire of parents to be good parents to their expected child. Pre-birth assessment practice varies widely; this briefing is for strategic leads with responsibility for pre-birth assessment activities in child and family social care, health services and midwife
Working with recurrent care-experienced birth mothers: Online Resources
Social workers, lawyers and judges have long been aware that some women return to court as respondents in care proceedings after having already experienced the removal of one or more children in previous proceedings. These resources bring together material from a Change Project with information, reflections and practice examples provided by those participating.
Film 1: Turning Points: Birth mothers and journeys to change
Six birth mothers involved in the study each tell their own story. They talk about the impact of having a child removed and their subsequent journeys to change.
Film 8: Removal at birth: Women’s perspectives
Claire Mason shares messages from her interviews with 72 birth mothers, nearly half of whom had experienced the removal of a newborn infant within hours or days of their child’s birth.
Film 9: Removal of infants at birth
Mary Ryan introduces the legal context and significant case law in relation to the removal of an infant at birth.
Film 12: Supporting mothers having babies removed at birth
Denise Marshall focuses on working with women experiencing severe disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early parenting.