Grant, Claire;
(2024)
Understanding the life course health needs and experiences of mothers who have their children taken into care.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Introduction: My thesis aimed to understand the life course health needs and experiences of mothers who have their children enter care. This population has high rates of health and social care need which can lead to child protection involvement and be exacerbated by child removal, often without adequate public service support. / Methods: This mixed methods thesis comprised of four projects. Firstly, an international scoping review into the health needs and relevant interventions for parents who have their children subject to care proceedings. Secondly, a qualitative study which centered the voices of women who had experienced child removal in England. Thirdly, a survey of healthcare professionals working in perinatal services in England who provide care for women at risk of child protection involvement. Finally, quantitative analysis of Canadian administrative health data to estimate the risks of women with disabilities having their newborns discharged into care. / Results: Mothers who have their children enter care have complex health needs, including mental health difficulties, substance use disorders, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and chronic physical conditions. Many of these needs long predate women becoming mothers, and despite being known to services, their health is largely unsupported by healthcare. Mothers and healthcare professionals agree that current structures of support are inadequate for women experiencing multiple disadvantages as they navigate parenthood, child protection intervention, and potentially child removal. Findings outline opportunities for healthcare to support these women preconception, throughout care proceedings, and following child removal via relationship-based, compassionate care which is responsive and longer term. / Conclusion: This thesis generates new evidence to support changes in how mothers who have their children enter care are supported in healthcare services across their lives. Findings indicate that support for mothers following child removal should be considered a policy priority.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Understanding the life course health needs and experiences of mothers who have their children taken into care |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| Keywords: | maternal health, child protection, mixed methods |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Epidemiology and Health |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10199382 |
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