First-time mothers whose children go through family court care proceedings in England are 21 times more likely to die within 10 years of having their baby compared with other mothers, a new study by UCL researchers finds.
It would be interesting to know how much of this is because the same factors which trigger care proceedings are also likely to harm the mother, and how much is because the care proceedings cause the harm. Either way, it’s a big number and clearly more support needs to be available.
I think we also have to remember that the care proceedings are there to protect the child, and in theory are already a last resort after support has failed. Though I’m sure there’s work to be done to improve that in practice.
It would be interesting to know how much of this is because the same factors which trigger care proceedings are also likely to harm the mother, and how much is because the care proceedings cause the harm. Either way, it’s a big number and clearly more support needs to be available.
I think we also have to remember that the care proceedings are there to protect the child, and in theory are already a last resort after support has failed. Though I’m sure there’s work to be done to improve that in practice.