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Maternity experiences and perinatal outcomes of mothers separated from their babies due to social care proceedings (MUMS@RISC study)

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Adopted project
Adopted October 2022 · Completed September 2025

Maternity experiences and perinatal outcomes of mothers separated from their babies due to social care proceedings (MUMS@RISC study)

The MUMS@RISC study aimed to investigate characteristics, outcomes and experiences of mothers in contact with children’s social care during or after pregnancy — a marginalised and under-researched group of women whose complex needs are currently unmet.

The first 1,001 days are critical for a child’s development and wellbeing. Children’s social care (CSC) has a crucial role to play in supporting families during this time. Over the last decade there has been a significant rise in CSC involvement for children across all age groups.

Scale of the issue

The vast majority of children in care proceedings in England and Wales are currently infants under the age of one, with more than half being newborn babies less than two weeks old. When safeguarding concerns are raised during pregnancy, CSC may become involved to plan interventions once the baby is born.

Involvement from CSC during pregnancy, through pre-birth assessments, is known to complicate ongoing relationships between parents and health and social care professionals. While administrative data has given more insight into the scale of the problem, evidence about the women themselves remains limited.

Project aim

The aim of this study was to explore maternal characteristics, outcomes and experiences of women in contact with children’s social care during the perinatal period — in particular those mothers facing separation from their infant. Although the study has a wider remit than the south London population, it was the first to focus on maternity experiences and outcomes of this group, whose complex needs are currently unmet.

How the research was carried out

The research began with a systematic review and meta-synthesis of existing qualitative literature. It then applied a range of methods across three workstreams:

1

Qualitative interviews with women who faced separation from their baby shortly after birth, to explore experiences of perinatal care.

2

Using the eLIXIR – Born in South London database, the team investigated socio-demographic, medical and pregnancy-related characteristics of women with social care involvement during pregnancy, and explored whether women presenting with social risk factors were appropriately referred.

3

Investigation of MBRRACE-UK maternal death surveillance data of women with children’s social care involvement during the perinatal period prior to their death, including a confidential enquiry examining the care of a sample of these women.

Patient and public involvement

The study has strong links with several organisations that support women whose baby was taken into care, including Birth Companions, MPower and Pause, all of whom fully endorsed the research.

Expert panel with lived experience

An expert panel of women with lived experience was involved from the start, checking relevance, defining research questions and fine-tuning the sensitive use of language. The panel developed a Research Engagement Charter reflecting the values underpinning the entire project, and remained involved throughout to help guide the research journey.

The engagement leads of partner organisations also played key roles in the recruitment and support of participants.

Research outputs

Media coverage

Study newsletters

Read the newsletters produced during the MUMS@RISC study for updates on progress and findings:

Meet the project lead



Kaat De Backer

Research associate, King’s College London

About this study

This study was adopted by ARC South London in October 2022 and funded by the NIHR. It was completed in September 2025.

The quantitative analysis provides more information about the needs and outcomes of women in south London at risk of having their baby removed, contributing to the evidence base around health inequalities for women with multiple social disadvantage.

Related content

Original source: arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk — NIHR ARC South London legacy content archived June 2026.