Mental health needs of mothers involved in family court cases
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
341181
Contact name
Johnny Downs
Contact email
Research summary
Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) linked to Cafcass care proceedings
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SC/0093
Date of REC Opinion
2 Apr 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) system allows researchers to carry out research using anonymised information from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust clinical records. CRIS helps us to look at real life situations on a large scale. This means it is easier to see patterns and trends.
The Child and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS) represent children in family court cases in England. CAFCASS collect data on family court cases that they are involved in.
CRIS has been linked with CAFCASS data to enable researchers to understand the mental health needs of mothers involved in care proceedings (family court cases where the council applies to have a child removed from parental care due to serious concern over their health or wellbeing). Mothers whose children are placed into public care or adoption often have high levels of health needs, such as drug and/or alcohol misuse, exposure to violence, mental health problems as well as chronic physical conditions. However, information is lacking on how health services address these needs. This linkage will enable researchers to determine the needs of mothers before, during and after care proceedings by using longitudinal data on mental health service use.
Research programme
Mental health difficulties, substance use and wider adversity are common among the mothers of children who undergo care proceedings with their children in the family courts in England. However, we know little about these mothers’ health needs. Linking mental health and family court data can allow for novel insights into when and how mothers involved in care proceedings use mental health services and can inform interventions that can safeguard both vulnerable children and mothers. By using these linked data, we aim to address research questions related to the mental health characteristics and service use of mothers involved in care proceedings in South London. This linked dataset is the only UK dataset of its kind that can enable routinely collected family court data to be used to understand maternal mental health need before, during and after court proceedings. As very little information is currently available on the trajectories of mothers involved in care proceedings, this linked database provides unique opportunities for research to study maternal healthcare needs.
Research database title
Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) linked to Cafcass care proceedings
Establishment organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Establishment organisation address
Maudsley Hospital
London
SE5 8AZ