Every mother deserves to be heard, supported and treated with dignity. The research published by the Lancaster University in October 2026 shows that in England, around 1 in every 118 babies under one year old was subject to care proceedings in 2024/25. More than half of those cases began within the first two weeks of life, up from 39% in 2007/08. The decisions that shape a baby’s start are increasingly being made before birth. The Born into Care pathway can involve maternity professionals, midwives, social workers, mental health services and other agencies working together to assess concerns, plan support and make decisions about the safety and care of an unborn baby.

For mothers, this can be an overwhelming and emotionally demanding experience. They may struggle to understand professional terminology, attend complex meetings, manage their mental health and ensure their experiences and views are heard. That is why Believe-in-Her works alongside the Leighton Hospital midwifery team from as early as eight weeks of pregnancy. Every mum has a named advocate who offers emotional and practical support. She helps mum understand what is happening and why, and makes sure her voice is heard in the meetings where decisions about her and her baby are made. Our role is to walks alongside women, helping them navigate the process, understand their options, identify their own goals and build the confidence and resilience to engage with professionals.