Parents and Carers who have mental health needs

Safeguarding children where parents or carers have mental health needs

The majority of parents who experience mental ill health are able to care for and safeguard their children and/or unborn child without additional services. However in some cases, significant, enduring and/or severe parental mental ill health will seriously affect the safety, health and development of children. 

In other cases, the period of ill health may be transient or episodic and the illness maybe influenced by circumstances. The adult may also have links with other services. In some cases the parent may not see themselves as being mentally ill and this will require practitioners to be particularly sensitive in their approach when working with the family.

The adverse effects on children of parental mental health are less likely when parental problems are mild, last only a short time and are not associated with family conflict. The effects are also less when parents have insight and understanding of the potential impact and take steps to reduce them. Children may also be protected when the other parent or a family member can respond to the child's needs, understand the problems and explain them to the children.

The adverse impact on the child's welfare increases when:

• The parent becomes so pre-occupied by their own needs that they cannot empathise with the child in the usual way;
• When the child features in the adult's delusions;
• Other risk factors such as substance use and/or domestic abuse are also present.

In all cases it is important that practitioners from children’s agencies and adult agencies work together using a Think Family approach to ensure the needs of the child and parent are considered. At all times the welfare of the child remains paramount.

What should I do if I have concerns about parental health?

If you are concerned about parental mental health and its impact on a child you can find more information in the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures.

Always discuss your concerns with the senior person in your organisation who is responsible for safeguarding and child protection.

Practitioners in children’s and adults services must proactively work together to ensure there is a full understanding of the parents needs and the potential impact of this on their ability to care for their baby or child.

If you are a young person, parent or carer, you can contact Children's Services to discuss your concerns. If you live in Derby you can talk to a trained social worker at Derby Social Care by ringing 01332 641172 during the day, or 01332 956606 after 5pm and at weekends or if you live in Derbyshire you can talk to a trained social worker at Derbyshire County Council by phoning 01629 533190 anytime.

Pregnant women who may have mental health needs

Any concerns about the pregnant woman’s mental health (or her partner’s) should be raised with the midwife or GP. It is important to assess the needs and give support to parents with mental health needs as early as possible. Close liaison between Midwifery Services and Children's and Adults Services should ensure that Early Help Assessments or Social Care pre-birth assessments are undertaken.

If you are concerned about the impact of mental health on a pregnant woman, use the Multi-Agency Protocol for Pre-Birth Assessments and Interventions to make sure the right action is taken at the right time.

Further information 

Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Services

Information about services for adults is located on the Derbyshire Mental health  and Self-harm and suicide prevention webpages. This is also an interactive mental health and wellbeing support map.  

Information about emotional wellbeing and mental health services for children and young people are located on Derbyshire County local offer and Derby City local offer. 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists have produced some useful information for parents, carers and anyone who works with young people about parental mental illness and the impact on children and adolescences.

NSPCC Parents with a mental health problem; learning from case reviews - a summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice around parental mental health and child welfare.