It takes a village: supporting care-experienced parents

Many young people who have grown up in care face real challenges when they become parents.  They’re more likely to experience poor mental health, social isolation and inadequate housing.  Not because of any failure on their part, but because the systems meant to support them are often not in place or not built to meet their needs.  Reflecting these challenges, research shows that children of care-experienced parents are disproportionately likely to enter the care system themselves.

Breaking this cycle requires targeted, compassionate support.  In rural Herefordshire, where services are spread across a wide geography, people who know their communities well are playing an instrumental role in connecting with care-experienced parents.

Building a village of care

Baby Steps is a new service from Home-Start Herefordshire for care-experienced parents and parents-to-be, aged 16 to 25, across the county.  Developed in partnership with Herefordshire Community Foundation and colleagues from social care, health and the voluntary sector, it is being continually shaped around what local parents say they actually need – genuine support from people who understand their community and their experience.

When those working on the project first spoke with parents, many felt judged, stigmatised for being young and for having experience of care.  Some talked about missing out on play and ordinary childhood experiences and feeling afraid to create happy memories with their own children.  What they wanted most was to understand infant mental health, to learn about child development and to meet other parents who understood their experiences.

The response has been a regular family group where parents and children come together, supported by trained Home-Start volunteers.  It’s a space for peer connection and for gentle, respectful modelling of early development.  The aim is not to instruct but to open a conversation and build confidence step by step.

Support includes home visits and personalised help for families in a setting where they feel comfortable.  Home-Start Herefordshire has a team of over 50 volunteers who work closely with families in this way, and the Baby Steps service builds on that foundation.

Within the first few months of the project launching, families had started attending group sessions.  Parents have shared tips, encouraged each other and made lasting friendships.  Expectant mums have been welcomed too, with one being offered the chance to hold another parent’s baby.

“We wanted to give some guidance without lecturing or frightening people off.  What matters is building trust, and that takes time.”

- James Teppin, Family Coordinator, Home-Start Herefordshire

Practical tools made by people who care

Alongside the group and home visits, Baby Steps has developed accessible resources written in plain language for parents who may not yet feel ready to ask for help.  The ‘Top Tips for Parents’ leaflet was created by a Home-Start family coordinator who wanted to offer real guidance without the weight of a formal parenting course.

Starting with ten practical tips drawn from child development theory and put into everyday language, it grew into twenty straightforward statements, developed with colleagues and shaped by feedback.  The tone is warm, neutral and inclusive.  Primary schools and nurseries have since asked for copies to pass on to their own families.