GovWire

This review was undertaken by the Chief Social Worker for Children and Families, Isabelle Trowler. It examines the decision-making process for prison mother and baby unit applications, and child and family social workers role in this.

The review finds examples of good practice. It concludes that most cases made a reasonable decision, likely to be in the best interests of the child.

The review recommends changes to improve:

• the consistency of the decision-making process
• the experience of women
• the input of childrens social care to this process

An in-depth thematic review of the information considered by the review has also been published by What Works for Childrens Social Care.