Staff recognised parental capacity was often limited by a range of factors including problematic substance misuse, impaired mental health, learning difficulties and domestic abuse.
The Policy for Unborn Babies was developed as a system for early identification of pregnant women whose vulnerability may result in their baby being considered a child in need and who required support.
Following a referral from a concerned professional to the Child Protection Nurse Advisor a multi-agency professional workers’ meeting or network meeting involving the mother is convened. Information is shared at the meeting and risks to the baby assessed.
Staff also coordinate multi-agency supports to help mother and baby. Information is shared effectively across services in professional workers meetings. This helps staff to assess the risk of harm to vulnerable unborn babies. Support is provided at a sufficiently early stage to reduce significant harm to vulnerable babies’ pre and post-birth.
As a result a considerable number of mothers and babies receive additional support from health visitors and social workers and risk has been reduced. Several babies have been recognised as being particularly vulnerable and have been protected by the child protection system through implementation of individual child protection plans.
Journey to Excellence: What's new RSS