Outcomes for parents with LD involved in Child Protection Procedures

Underlying principles of service delivery Presumption of incompetence versus a constructional approach which includes the concept of distributed competence

What is a Doula? Doula (pronounced doola) is a Greek word meaning woman servant or caregiver (Campero et al, 1998) It now refers to an experienced woman who offers emotional and practical support to a woman (or couple) before, during and after childbirth

A Doula… Works flexible hours to suit the family Offers practical and emotional support Empowers a family to take care of itself by helping around the house and offering encouragement and suggestions Are experienced in childbirth but do not support the mother in a clinical role All Doula UK doulas have taken an approved course

AIMS of CanDo To provide family centred support to pregnant women with learning disabilities and their families during the antenatal phase, the birth and the neonatal phase. To link women with appropriate statutory services, to identify gaps in services, to provide consultation and training to professionals unfamiliar in working with parents with LD.

What has been achieved in T&W since April Recruited and trained more local Doulas, an independent midwife and liaison workers Advertised the service offered in T&W by shot Created brand including web site: and leaflets

What has been achieved since April Successful partnership with Home-Start Trained Home-Start volunteers Organised and facilitated regular individual and group support meetings for doulas, midwives and liaison workers Completed research of the project in partnership with University of Birmingham (researcher Alison McGarry) Research paper accepted for publication in international research journal (JARID)

What has been achieved since April Designed and implemented referral and assessment forms and a local pathway Implemented telephone supervision for doulas with outside expert in addition to peer support group meetings and supervision by BK and RC Research on solicitors and social workers experiences of working with parents with LD Research on early attachment between parents and babies

Current roles of those undertaking the project work 2 Volunteer consultants/ coordinators (unpaid) – RC and BK 5 Doulas (self employed – invoice CanDo as per contract) 1 independent midwife (self-employed – invoice CanDo as per contract) 2 Liaison workers (self employed – invoice CanDo as per contract) 1 clinical supervisor (self employed – invoice CanDo as per contract)

Client work sofar Nine women and four men (ten families) have received or are currently receiving Doula support and two received independent midwifery support during pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period. Five families have been referred to Home-Start Three families have lost custody of their child

Future developments Recruit and train more doulas and independent midwives Continue supervision and training Research on midwives experiences of working with parents with LD Provide a service for parents who have lost custody

Summary and reflections on the research Findings indicate that Doula support is effective and service users experiences are positive Clinicians have commented on the real difference that Doulas make Importance of providing training, supervision and support as being involved in care proceedings can be bewildering and stressful

BENEFITS 1/ keeping families together and… 2/ avoiding costs: In Loco Parentis A Demos report commissioned by Barnardos –2010 looked after children cost £23k ( stable care journey) to £56k (unstable care journey)

BENEFITS For one child, the stable care journey cost £352,053 over a 14-year period, while the unstable care journey cost £393,579 over a 7- year period.

COSTS CanDo support from pregnancy until neonatal period: £2000 Home Start support from neonatal period until school age: £1250x4 (years) £5000 Total cost of support until school age per family £7000

Telford and Wrekin