Maternal disability and newborn discharge to child protective services (CPS): A mixed-methods study

£128.3K GBP

Funder	Natural Environment Research Council
Recipient Organization	University College London
Country	United Kingdom
Start Date	Aug 31, 2022
End Date	Aug 30, 2023
Duration	364 days
Number of Grantees	2
Roles	Principal Investigator
Data Source	UKRI Gateway to Research
Grant ID	`NE/X006417/1`

Grant Description

ESRC:ClaireGrant:ES/P000592/1

As many as one in 8 pregnancies are to women with disabilities, including physical, sensory, and developmental disabilities. These women often face negative attitudes and assumptions by others about their parenting abilities and are at risk of Child Protective Service (CPS) involvement. This project aims to characterize CPS involvement experienced by women with disabilities in pregnancy and shortly after delivery.

The project will use routinely collected administrative health data to estimate the risks of newborn discharge to CPS among mothers with versus without disabilities. Previously collected interview data with mothers with disabilities will also be analysed to understand how CPS involvement in pregnancy and shortly after delivery impacts their experiences of perinatal health care.

Many mother-infant separations are preventable through targeted and timely intervention. This study will generate data to inform accessible, tailored services and supports for mothers with disabilities at risk of CPS involvement in the perinatal period.