Webinar: Newborn babies in care proceedings

The separation of mothers and babies within hours or days of an infant’s birth is a very severe form of intervention in family life, fraught with ethical, legal and procedural challenges.

Nuffield FJO research, carried out by academic teams from Lancaster University and Swansea University since 2018, has revealed that the number of newborn babies who are subject to care proceedings in England and Wales has increased – by more than double in the last decade. The discovery of significant variation in applications to court across the regions has prompted additional concern. Meanwhile, new research to be published this month examines the widespread and increasing use of urgent hearings for the first time.

The webinar

At this free webinar, the researchers behind the Nuffield FJO studies, as well as a range of professionals and family members, will discuss how vulnerable mothers and babies could be better supported to stay together, or humanely and sensitively cared for when that is not a safe option.

Practical insights which can help inform decision making will be shared, with the opportunity to join a discussion session at the end.

The webinar will be presented by:

• Lisa Harker – Director of Nuffield Family Justice Observatory
• Professor Karen Broadhurst – Director, Centre for Child and Family Justice Research, Lancaster University
• Dr Lucy Griffiths – Senior Lecturer, Swansea University

CLICK HERE to register.