Publish date: 7 November 2022
In January 2022 Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust secured funding from Sefton Council for a 12-month pilot of the Building Attachments and Bonds Service (BABS) to enhance its early years support for children and families in the local area.
BABS offers therapy and support for pregnant women/new parents who struggle with their emotional wellbeing and other vulnerabilities and have concerns about bonding and their relationships with their baby.
BABS has now reached the target number of referrals agreed as part of the pilot and will continue to work with 70 families until December 2022. Providing support during pregnancy and in the early weeks after the baby is born. This support will continue to be offered in the family home or local Family Wellbeing Hubs in the community until the end of the contract/pilot study.
Alongside the clinical support provided to families, specialist parent infant mental health training and consultation to multi-agency professionals has also been provided.
Now that the service has reached its pilot target no further referrals will be accepted. Any families who would benefit from parenting support can continue to access services such as Family hubs, Perinatal services, IAPT, CAMHS, Early Help and 0-19 service, dependent of their needs. Commissioners are aware that we have reached our referral target and fully involved in discussions.
Find out more about our Building Attachments and Bonds service and how to contact the team on our website.