Unborn baby

The unborn baby’s birth mother did not register her pregnancy until 32 weeks and did not access any pre-natal care prior to this point. Birth mother is known to have a chaotic lifestyle and has told professionals that she has used drugs during her pregnancy. Historically there have also been concerns around birth mother’s alcohol use, but she reports she hasn’t consumed any alcohol whilst pregnant. The identity of the father of the unborn baby is unknown.

Birth mother is well known to local services and has recently lost care of her two other young children, due to similar concerns around her lifestyle. The adoptive family for the baby’s siblings has been contacted and, although they are not able to care for a third child, they would be open to direct and indirect contact between the children so they can develop a sibling bond.

Due to the level of concern for the baby, professionals do not feel it is safe for them to go home with birth mother. Professionals are also worried that birth mother hasn’t had enough time since she lost care of her other children to access the support and make the changes needed to safely care for a child.

Whilst decisions are made, the baby will need a safe and loving home, where they could stay long term if their plan is ultimately one of adoption. This means they will not have to have any unnecessary moves and will have everything they need right from birth. The baby will have regular contact with their birth mother until decisions are made.

We would expect that the unborn baby is likely to experience drug withdrawal after birth and will need to remain in hospital for a few days for routine monitoring. Any carer(s) identified will need to make daily visits to the hospital until the baby can be safely discharged into their care. Carers will also need to manage the uncertainty around the baby’s future development given their young age and the lack of information about the pregnancy and the baby’s father.

Ethnic and cultural descent:

Birth mother Polish, father unknown.

Family needed:

Early permanence carers willing to take on the uncertainties of the baby’s experiences in-utero.

Contact plans:

4 x week direct contact with birth mother until court decision is made. If the baby does have a plan of adoption there will be yearly two-way letterbox contact with birth mother and it is hoped direct contact can take place, in addition to letters, between the baby and their siblings. This direct contact would be arranged between the respective adoptive families, with support if needed.

Legal Status:

An Interim Care Order will be sought following the baby’s birth. This will allow the Local Authority to make decisions in the baby’s best interests until the court’s decision.