Mothers Apart: Working with Birth Mothers who have had children serially and permanently removed from their care

This paper discusses initial findings from a multi-method partnership project involving Middlesex University staff and social work partners in a London local authority (Tower Hamlets). Recent UK research highlights high... [ view full abstract ]

This paper discusses initial findings from a multi-method partnership project involving Middlesex University staff and social work partners in a London local authority (Tower Hamlets). Recent UK research highlights high costs, both human and to public funds, of serially removing children from their birth mothers. Research has already considered frequency of removals , wider social impact , and legal aspects e.g. FDAC, substance abuse may be a factor for some women. A recent review (2013 ) of impacts of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (UK) identified lack of resources to support birth parents and high costs of continued removal. It recommended an “invest to save” approach. Some literature suggests working in a different way to sensitively design services where birth parents can be actively involved, helping them make protective choices . There is still little understanding of the impact of removal on birth mothers and how this may reduce their capacity to care for further children successfully.
Interventions aiming to reduce serial removals are being discussed and developed in several UK areas, including the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This study therefore aimed firstly to obtain views of birth mothers when planning for effective services; we interviewed a small group of mothers (up to 20) who have experienced serial removal of their children, asking them what kinds of support they think are needed in these circumstances. A literature review and visits to other relevant interventions completed this project stage and are also reported on here. Later in the partnership we intend to design, develop and evaluate a pilot intervention model in Tower Hamlets, building on material gathered from this project stage. This future intervention will seek to reduce likelihood of children being serially removed from birth mothers who have already lost at least one child, also saving public costs.