Perinatal healthcare for women at risk of children’s social care involvement

This article reports on findings from an online survey, conducted with perinatal healthcare professionals across England, including midwives, obstetricians, perinatal psychologists and psychiatrists, and health visitors. The survey asked about professionals' experiences of providing care for pregnant women with chronic physical conditions, mental health needs, intellectual/developmental disabilities and substance use disorders, who might be at risk of children’s social care involvement.

This study finds that women who are at risk of children’s social care involvement will likely experience perinatal healthcare inequities. Findings suggest that current perinatal healthcare provision for this population is inadequate and national guidelines need updated to inform support.

By Claire Grant, Tamsin Bicknell-Morel, Billie Lever Taylor, Claire Powell, Ruth Marion Blackburn, Rebecca Lacey, and Jenny Woodman

Published on BMJ Open

Read: Perinatal healthcare for women at risk of children’s social care involvement: a qualitative survey of professionals in England