Research findings and publications

Phase 1: Mental health and care proceedings statistics (2017-2024)

‍

Key findings:

Linked data analysis We successfully demonstrated that family court and health data can be linked to study the health of mothers involved in court proceedings across England, creating new possibilities for research and policy development.

Extent of involvement in care proceedings 1.3% of mothers giving birth for the first time will have care proceedings within 10 years. This rate is higher for mothers with chronic health conditions around birth, particularly mental health conditions or intellectual disability.

Birth patterns and return to court Most mothers (58.3%) involved in care proceedings had 2 or fewer births during the 10-year follow-up period. Within 8 years of first care proceedings, one-third (32.6%) of mothers had second care proceedings initiated. The risk of second care proceedings was highest for young mothers (under 25), those living in the most deprived neighbourhoods, and those with a child placed for adoption.

Higher death rates Mothers with care proceedings were significantly more likely to die within 10 years of first birth compared to mothers without proceedings.

Mental health service contact In South London, around two-thirds (66%) of mothers involved with care proceedings had contact with mental health services between April 2007 and March 2019. Among these, 79% were known to mental health services before court proceedings began.

Funding: Nuffield Foundation