Baby and Me - London Borough of Redbridge

About this project

In response to a growing number of newborn babies becoming subject to care proceedings post-birth, the London Borough of Redbridge created the Baby and Me service in August 2021. This early-intervention service assesses and provides support to families who are about to have their first child, or who have had children removed from their care in past, in an attempt to ensure newborn babies have the best start in life and can live safely at home with their families. Traditionally, assessments and support to pregnant women had not been delivered until later on in the pregnancy at around 24 weeks gestation. However, the Baby and Me team works with women from a much earlier stage at around 12 weeks’ gestation in order to try and mitigate escalation to a point of crisis, which often emerges later in pregnancy for vulnerable women. In order to be able to offer comprehensive, multi-agency support to families, the service is also developing its strategic pathways with midwifery, health visiting, perinatal and other adult services. By engaging early and ensuring families are supported to work through any challenges they face, the hope is that fewer babies in Redbridge will enter the care system.

Who is doing this

  • Redbridge London Borough Council