* CHRONOLOGY * * Second Trimester * * Mother attended her community drug and alcohol team (CDAT) were she was on a methadone programme. Referral was made by her key worker stated concerns that she may be pregnant and concealing it * * Pre - birth conference was held to establish the issues surrounding the mother, her pregnancy and her parenting skills. Mother did not attend. The pre – birth conference attended by the CDAT key worker, safeguarding midwife, health visitor, GP, social worker. The pre – birth conference took place as mum was concealing her pregnancy and that she was heavily * * DAY 1
Jack was born by caesarean section because they were concerns with the Zoe. Zoe was unwell – she had a
Mum was only allowed to have supervised times visits. Jack remained on oral morphine.

In the essay, I am going to discuss and analyse the decisions taken and processes used in relation to an identified child where they were concerns that the child might be ‘in need’ or ‘at risk’. It will include a chronology and proposals to improve the ‘safeguarding’ within the clinical environment. Due to the word limitation, the discussion will focus on the safeguarding the premature baby rather than the other siblings. Relevant issues involved in this particular case domestic violence, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) will also be discussed.

Throughout the essay confidentiality and anonymity of all aspect of the care provided for the baby will maintained by disclosing the trust, staff and the patient and their family involved. “Nurses and midwives have a duty to protect confidential information. The person who is in the care of a nurse or midwife has a right to believe that information given to them in confidence is only used for the purposes for which it was given and will not be disclosed to others without permission” (NMC 2007) Confidentiality would be addressed in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery council guidelines. Names of individuals, hospitals and local authorities involved have been changed.

In the United Kingdom, the overall health, safety and well-being of a child takes priority hence