The impact of social work intervention on female careleavers :coping with pregnancy and parenthood when child welfare concerns are raised

The study examines the experiences of female careleavers who have experienced the intervention of a social worker, relating to the welfare of their child during their pregnancy and/or parenthood. The research aimed to discover how careleavers experience intervention regarding their child and how social work intervention impacts on pregnancy and parenting. Ten careleavers were interviewed using semi-structured interviews and themes identified using a Grounded Theory approach. Seven themes were identified, including 'Bonding' and 'The impact of public discourse' amongst others. The research concludes that careleavers experience social work intervention as unwanted, stressful and uncertain but that intervention also has a valuable purpose as a turning point for lifestyle change for some mothers. Recommendations are made for more thoughtful and meaningful discussion between social workers and mothers, for fewer professionals to be involved and for attention to be paid to the medium by which discussions about parenting are facilitated