Unborn - Safeguarding the Unborn
Babies are particularly vulnerable to abuse and any work carried out in the antenatal period can help minimise any potential harm if there is early assessment, intervention and support. All practitioners should understand how respond to concerns for an unborn baby and how to be involved in safe planning with multi-agency practitioners working together, with families, to safeguard the unborn through to birth.
Where practitioners become aware a woman is pregnant, at whatever stage of the pregnancy, and they have concerns for the mother or unborn baby’s welfare, or that of a sibling, it must not be assumed that Midwifery or other health services are aware of the pregnancy or the concerns held. All practitioners should follow their own agency’s child protection procedures and discuss concerns with the agency’s safeguarding lead in the first instance.
An assessment by Children’s Social Care must commence as early as possible where:
- concerns exist regarding the mother’s or father’s ability to self-care or protect
- alcohol and/or substance abuse is present and is likely to impact on both the parent(s) and the child
- there are professional safeguarding concerns regarding parenting capacity, particularly where the parents have either mental health problems, learning disabilities and difficulties or mental capacity issues
- the child is believed to be at risk of significant harm due to domestic abuse
- the expectant parent(s) are very young and a dual assessment of their own needs as well as an assessment of their ability to meet the baby’s needs is required; this includes young people under 16 for who there is a risk of Child Sexual Exploitation, trafficked or as a result of non-consensual sex
- a previous child in the family has been removed either permanently or on a temporary basis because they have suffered harm or been at risk of suffering significant harm
- a person who has been convicted of an offence against a child or adult, or is believed by child protection professionals to have abused a child, intends to join or has contact with the family
- an unborn baby has siblings subject to a Child Protection Plan or previously subject to a Child Protection Plan a person is subject to Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) need to be considered
- the parent is a Looked After child or has been previously looked after by a local authority
- any other concerns that the professional beliefs may place the unborn at risk of harm
Any such concerns should be addressed as early as possible before the birth so that a full assessment can be undertaken and support offered to enable the parent/s (wherever possible) to provide safe care (including before the pregnancy is confirmed).
Referral into Children’s Services - Where agencies or individuals anticipate that prospective parents may pose a significant risk for their unborn these should be referred to social care at the earliest opportunity.
For those unborn babies about which practitioners are concerned but which do not meet the criteria for Social Care Assessment, consideration should be given at the earliest opportunity to signposting to other agencies which are able to provide support. Practitioners should also consider the completion of an Early Help Assessment which will identify support requirements and ensure that the wellbeing of the unborn is at the centre of the assessment, allowing early support to be provided to reduce the risks to the unborn. An Early Help assessment is a holistic assessment that considers the child’s developmental needs, parenting capacity, environmental needs and level of risk. Practitioners will be able to gather new information and with the information they already know provide a multi- agency package of support for the baby and family via the Team around the Family process. The information gathered through this process is shared appropriately and can be used to help determine if an unborn single assessment through social care is required.
Where an unborn baby is likely to be in need of services from children’s social care when born, you should contact the Children's Initial Advice Team to discuss. Telephone 01325 406252
For further detailed guidance and a flow chart of the referral process see Safeguarding the Unborn Procedure and Practice Guidance [PDF Document].