Born into Care: Towards inclusive guidelines when the State intervenes at birth

Project Summary

This research project will devise and test evidence informed guidelines designed to inform best practice when the State intervenes to protect infants at birth, through care proceedings. There are increasing national and international concerns about the volume of new-borns in care proceedings and safe, effective and ethical practice (Born into Care: England and Born into Care: Wales).

The project will take a participatory approach and bring together parents and wider family members as well as policy and practice stakeholders, to ensure the development of the new FJO guidelines follows an inclusive process. The new guidelines need to be closely attuned to the realities of everyday practice as well as child and family needs and experience. The project is being carried out as the first public law Special Interest Project for the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory (FJO) (https://www.nuffieldfjo.org.uk).

It will be delivered by researchers based at the Centre for Child and Family Justice Research at Lancaster University and the Rees Centre Oxford University led by Professor Karen Broadhurst, in collaboration with international partners Dr Sarah Wise (University of Melbourne) and Dr Melissa O’Donnell (University of Western Australia). The project has appointed a multi-stakeholder advisory board and a dedicated birth mother advisory group to support this project. Peter Salem (AFCC) and Professor Jane Barlow (University of Oxford) are acting as expert scientific advisors to this project.

The Research Team

Karen Broadhurst, Principal Investigator, Lancaster University
Claire Mason, Co-Investigator, Lancaster University
Ellie Ott, Principal Investigator, Rees Centre, Oxford University
Harriet Ward, Consultant, Rees Centre, Oxford University
Chris Millan, Project Officer, Lancaster University

The Advisory Board

Sally Jenkins (Chair), Head Of Children and Families Services, Newport City Council
Rebecca Brione, Research and Partnerships Officer, Birthrights
Angela Frazer Wicks, Co-Chair, Your Family Your Voice
Cathy Ashley, Chief Exec, Family Rights Group
Laura Bridle, Perinatal mental health midwife, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (Royal College of Midwifery rep)
Deborah Woodcock, Director of Operations and Principal Social Worker, Stockport Council
Julie Evans, Senior Midwife, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Early Years Vulnerability Profiling Officer (seconded Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council)
Sir Michael Keehan, QC, High Court Judge
Lisa Harker, Director, Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
Pam Ledward, Family Rights Group
HHJ Mererid Edwards, Welsh Circuit Judge
Melissa Van Dyke, International Advisor on Implementation, Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection, Strathclyde University
Naomi Delap, Director, Birth Companions
Helen Harding, Head of Service Early Help, London Borough of Havering (ADCS rep)
Nigel Brown, Chief Executive, Cafcass Cymru
Melanie Carew, Head of Legal, Cafcass
Trudi Seneviratne, Consultant Adult and Perinatal Psychiatrist
Wendy Marsh, Deputy Director of Midwifery, Portsmouth Hospitals Trust