Parents' experiences with child protection during pregnancy and post-birth

Limited research has directly sought the input of parents involved in the child protection system during pregnancy and with their infants. As the focus of these policies and practices, parents have a unique and important insight not available to others, so it is vital to obtain their input. As part of a larger Australian study, qualitative interviews were undertaken with 13 parents asking about their views and experiences. Parents predominantly became involved with child protection services during pregnancy through a prenatal report. Parents who previously had their newborn removed from their care described it as sudden and unexpected, leaving them distressed and unsupported post-removal, with a growing list of requirements for them to see their baby or for restoration to be considered. Domestic violence was a particular issue of concern for some mothers who expressed distress that their partners, perpetrators of violence, were allowed access to their infant with fewer requirements than for them. Improvements recommended by the parents included greater communication and preparation for the removal, better recognition of improvements in their situations and increased supports to be provided to parents both pre- and post-removal. Parental experiences provide an important guide to improving child protection practice with these families.

Automated summary

Limited research has been conducted to directly gather input from parents involved in the child protection system during pregnancy and with their infants. This Australian study involved qualitative interviews with 13 parents to understand their views and experiences. Findings showed that parents primarily became involved with child protection services through prenatal reports during pregnancy. Parents who had previously had their newborns removed from their care described the experience as sudden and unexpected, leaving them without support and facing increasing requirements to see their baby or regain custody. Some mothers expressed distress over the fact that their partners, who were perpetrators of domestic violence, were given easier access to their infant compared to themselves. Recommendations from the parents included improving communication and preparation for removal, recognizing improvements in their situations, and providing greater support both before and after removal.