Statement from Sophie Humphreys, Chief Executive of Pause.
Commenting on new research published today that reveals over 13,000 babies were subject to care proceedings at birth or soon after from 2007-2014. Sophie Humphreys said,
“These important findings underline the urgent need to break the destructive cycle in which too many women find themselves trapped.”
“All too often young woman – particularly teenagers – who have already had one child removed, become pregnant again and again with the same result. This is causing untold heartbreak and damage to these woman and their children, as well as loading great costs on both society and the taxpayer.”
“Pause is pioneering a unique preventative programme across the country to intervene at the earliest opportunity and give women control over their lives through intense therapeutic, practical and behavioural support. Our pilot projects are targeting over 180 women, beginning to break the cycle of pregnancy, care proceedings and the removal of their children by the courts.”
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- 13,248 babies were subject to care proceedings at birth or soon afterwards from 2007—2014, of which nearly 50 % linked to “repeat mothers” and around a third linked to mothers who were teenagers at the time of their first baby.
- New findings from Lancaster University today show that one in four women who have already had a child taken into care will have further children removed from them by the Family Court. When the mother is a teenager, this becomes a one-in-three chance.
- Pause works with women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeat removals of children from their care. Through an intense programme of support, it aims to break this cycle and give women the opportunity to reflect, tackle destructive patterns of behaviour, and to develop new skills and responses that can help them create a more positive future.
- After a successful pilot project in Hackney, Pause has secured funds from the Department for Education’s Innovation Fund to expand into six further local authorities. https://www.learningtrust.co.uk/pages/pause.aspx
CONTACT:
If you wish to speak to Sophie Humphreys please contact her at: info@pause.org.uk.
ENDS