Contact for Infants Subject to Care Proceedings 1

Abstract

For some years now, concerns have been raised about whether the frequency and the arrangements for contact between infants and parents during proceedings are in the best interests of infants. Could these arrangements be better managed to safeguard the development of the infant while maintaining effective contact and supporting the possibility of reunion with the birth parents? A recent study by Kenrick (2009) has provided detailed accounts of the stressful and negative impact on infants of high levels of contact during care proceedings. Research from Australia has raised similar concerns (Humphreys and Kiraly, 2011). A multi-disciplinary working group, hosted by Coram, has been meeting to discuss these issues and in December 2010 the President of the Family Division's annual debate was titled 'Infant Contact: Keeping the Baby in Mind'. This article by Gillian Schofield and John Simmonds draws on that debate as well as outlining the legal, research and practice contexts. The aim here is to explore this controversial area and to identify questions which need to be considered in planning infant contact, both in the pre-proceedings phase and throughout care proceedings.