Giving HOPE CIC
Aims
The Giving HOPE project aims to minimise the trauma experienced by mothers and babies who are separated close to birth due to safeguarding concerns.
Overview
Giving HOPE is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to reducing the trauma experienced by mothers and babies separated at birth due to safeguarding concerns.
Underpinned by the Born into Care research series led by Lancaster University, the company work to raise awareness and promote trauma-informed, compassionate practice to help ensure that, wherever it is safe, babies remain with their families.
When this is not possible, they strive to ensure that separation is handled with care, dignity, and humanity, recognising its profound and lasting impact on all those involved. Through the implementation of our HOPE Boxes, the company support practitioners across Health and Social Care in offering more compassionate, responsive care that prioritises connection, sensitivity, and emotional well-being. Giving HOPE's aim is to minimise trauma for everyone affected and achieve the best possible outcomes for both mother and baby.
Results and Outcomes
Tab Content: For Partners and Engagement
Becoming a Giving HOPE site can help ensure more compassionate care for mothers and babies separated at birth, to minimise harm and support connection. In addition to the HOPE Boxes, Giving HOPE also offers set-up support and training to ensure the HOPE Boxes have an impact across the system and improve outcomes for both mothers and babies.
The HOPE Boxes, supported financially by NHS England, Sir Haley Stewart Trust and ESRC Impact Acceleration funding, as well as local funding arrangements, are already being implemented in 30 Health Trusts and Local Authority areas pan-UK.
Tab Content: For Academics
Research from the initial project identified consensus among frontline practitioners and parents about what constitutes best practice when local authorities issue care proceedings at birth – but also uncovered numerous challenges, ranging from discontinuities, delays and resource constraints to risk adverse practice, shortfalls in a family-inclusive practice, insufficient professional specialism and poor inter-agency collaboration.
The need for a more consistent sensitive approach to practice, underpinned by understandings of trauma is emphasised. The need for more training, supervision and support for professionals working in this emotionally challenging area of practice is also recommended.
Back to listing