Abstract
A newborn baby is vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and the professional role may involve assessment before the baby is born. The aim of this paper is to explore the perspectives and experiences of midwives and child protection social workers regarding the protection of unborn babies within Northern Ireland. Data were gathered using four focus groups (14 midwives and 16 child protection social workers) within one Health and Social Care Trust. The data were analysed in terms of understanding risk factors and forming a professional judgement. The mental wellbeing of the pregnant woman, drug use, alcohol use, domestic violence, the pregnant woman's childhood experiences, gestation period and antenatal care attendance were the main risks identified. Observations, engaging with the pregnant woman and using ‘soft intelligence’ were key aspects in forming a professional judgement. The appraisal of the ability of the pregnant woman to recognise danger was an important moderating factor, and perhaps formed part of a professional judgement heuristic to assist in making sense of wide‐ranging information about diverse risks.‘Explore[s] the perspectives and experiences of midwives and child protection social workers regarding the protection of unborn babies within Northern Ireland’Key Practitioner Messages Identified risk factors included mental wellbeing, age, feelings about the pregnancy, drug and alcohol use, domestic violence, the pregnant woman's childhood experiences, gestation period and antenatal care attendance. Pregnant women were unable to recognise the dangers in misusing illegal or prescription drugs, excessive alcohol consumption and initiating/maintaining relationships with sex offenders. Key skills in forming a professional judgement involved engagement with the pregnant woman, professionals' experience and observations, and the use of ‘soft intelligence’.
Highlights
‘Professionals must form a judgement as to whether the future behaviour of parents is likely to have a serious detrimental impact on their baby’
Doctors are involved in aspects of child protection decision making, in practice the task of making a child protection referral within a hospital setting is more often undertaken by a nurse or a hospital social worker
The child protection social workers are employed in the same health and social care (HSC) organisation as the midwives, they are based in community offices whereas midwives are hospital based (South Eastern and Health and Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), 2017a)
Summary
‘Professionals must form a judgement as to whether the future behaviour of parents is likely to have a serious detrimental impact on their baby’. In consultation with their professional supervisor and the hospital social worker, initiate a referral to child protection services if they are concerned about an unborn baby (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2019). Social workers receiving these referrals undertake assessment and use their professional judgement to weigh up the risks of harm and make recommendations about protective interventions within mandated child protection decision processes (Taylor, 2017a). Other social work teams deal with placement and supervision of children in state care, those leaving care, adoption of children, inspection of early years services, etc. (SEHSCT, 2017b)
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