Every mother matters : the role of the social worker with birth mothers experiencing mental health difficulties and/or difficulties in relation to drug and alcohol problems, which problems result in children entering foster care

Abstract

The theme of this research is the role of the social workers with birth mothers experiencing mental health difficulties and/or drug and alcohol problems, which problems result in children entering foster care. It attempts to explore the needs, difficulties and challenges faced by these birth mothers during the transition process when their child needs to go into foster care and whilst the child is in foster care. The research departs from the hypothesis that help needs to be provided to the birth mothers throughout the whole process of their child placement (Martin, 2000). A qualitative research design was adopted and five in-depth interviews with birth mothers who have mental health and/or drug and alcohol problems were carried out. Four social workers at Mount Carmel Hospital and three social workers working in the drug and alcohol services at Sedqa agency were also interviewed. Furthermore, an interview was conducted with the Service Area Leader of the Looked After Children Team. The social workers' role, the needs and difficulties of birth mothers, separation from and reunification with the child were among the topics explored through the interviews. From the data collected, a common factor that emerged during the findings was that birth mothers go through a lot of pain and sorrow during the separation process and thus the help and support by social workers is of utmost importance. The social workers maintained that these mothers should have additional help to what they are receiving because at times it appears that the foster carers and the child are given much more importance compared to what the birth mothers receive. Moreover, social workers perceived the need of helping the birth mothers in order to facilitate reunification between the mother and child, if and when it is in the best interest of the child that this should take place. Moreover, the findings showed that due to the problems and difficulties faced, none of the mothers are able to take care of their offspring and thus, foster care placement is the best option for the children although it is very hard to accept. After analysing the data collected, recommendations and conclusions were drawn up for further development and improvement of the already existing services delivered by social workers and the agencies involved, to meet better, the needs and difficulties of these birth mothers. Addressing such needs and difficulties will help increase the possibility of a reunification between the birth mothers and their children, when this is in the best interest of the child concerned. Only then reunification, as the main aim of fostering can be achieved.