About the Institute

The Birth Companions Institute works with experts across policy, practice, research and the legal system.

Together, we...

Inform, shape and change policy, legislation and guidance

Build and share evidence on disadvantage and inequity in the first 1001 days from conception to a child’s second birthday

Lead the way in embedding trauma-informed engagement with women with lived experience

Co-design systems and services

Challenge injustice and change legal structures and practice

Work with the media to reshape narratives on disadvantage and inequity in pregnancy and early motherhood

Work with us

None of our work in the Birth Companions Institute would be possible without the involvement of our many partners. Find out how you can support our work to achieve better care, equity and justice for all pregnant women, mothers and babies.

Get in touch
Our partners

Campaigns

Find out more about our campaigning activities within the Birth Companions Institute

Campaign

Taking a Strand

Campaigning for an end to the overreliance on hair strand drug tests in the family courts

Programmes

Find out more about the various programmes of work within the Birth Companions Institute

Programme

1001 Days in the CJS

Coordinated programme of work to achieve an ambitious new approach to pregnancy, birth and early motherhood across the whole criminal justice system
Programme

Healthy Environments in the 1001 Days

Building evidence and securing policy change to mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency on pregnant women, mothers and their babies here in the UK
Programme

Coordinated national policy on children’s social care involvement in the 1001 days

Co-designing a national health and social care pathway for women who are at risk of or experiencing separation from their baby

Publications

Read some of the latest publications from the Birth Companions Institute

Resource
Report

Impact Report 2024-2025

The annual Impact Report from Birth Companions
Resource
Report

Spotlight: Children's social care involvement and maternal mortality

Understanding the circumstances, experiences and outcomes of women with children’s social care involvement who die during pregnancy or the year after
Resource
Report

The Lost Mothers Project

Focusing on the needs and experiences of women who are separated from their infants due to imprisonment
Resource
Report

Breaking out of the Justice Loop

Creating a criminal justice system that works for women

Resources

Explore our library of informative publications from the Birth Companions Institute and friends

No items found.

Discover by topic

Children's social care
Climate justice
Criminal justice
Health
Migrant women
Our news and publications
Racial inequities