The Izzy Project
Support for pregnant women and new mothers with involvement from children's social care
The Izzy Project offers specialist, relationship-led support to women living or giving birth in Hackney who are at risk of, or experiencing separation from their baby shortly after birth. It is named in loving memory of a child whose mum has been a huge part of Birth Companions for many years.
Our Izzy Project coordinators work one-to-one with women throughout their pregnancy, birth, and the first year of their baby’s life. They provide practical and emotional support and information to help mothers navigate the children’s social care, family justice, and maternity care systems, as well as wider services such as housing and public health.
Our coordinators work alongside, but independently of midwives, social workers and other relevant health and social care services. They support women without judgement in a trauma-informed and woman-centred way. They help women access the full range of support services available in Hackney, and ensure women’s voices are heard and their needs understood by those services and the professionals working within them.
The Izzy Project was co-designed by members of the Birth Companions Lived Experience Team who have personal experience of children’s social care involvement during the perinatal period; and with input from over 40 stakeholders from Hackney’s maternity, perinatal mental health, and children’s social care services. Co-production was an essential tool in building understanding of the needs of birth mothers in Hackney, and designing an innovative service to meet those needs successfully.
Who can we support?
The Izzy Project can offer support to pregnant women and mothers of children up to the age of one year who either:
- Live in Hackney;
- Are registered at a GP within City and Hackney;
- Are under the care of Homerton Hospital; or
- Were under the care of Homerton Hospital for their most recent baby.
Referrals can be made for women:
- Who are at risk of, or experiencing, separation from their baby at birth or in the first year after birth as the result of a family court order following birth;
- Whose baby is part of a Child Protection Plan or undergoing assessment for one.
The Izzy Project information sheet
For further information about The Izzy Project:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 07896 112 460
