Fresh Start Evaluation
In 2023 we commissioned a team of researchers from Sheffield Hallam University to evaluate the service. They looked at the activities Fresh Start provides, the unmet needs it supports and, most importantly, the experiences of the women involved.
Key findings
The impact of loss
Recognition of the impact on the mental health of mothers when their children have been removed is hugely significant; feelings of suicidality are not uncommon. Fresh Start provides specific support around mother’s loss, validating and legitimising the grief that comes with child removal.
Rebuilding trust
Referrals to Fresh Start come predominantly through Social Care. Given the difficult nature of care proceedings, mothers understandably often have a distinct lack of trust in professionals when they first come to us. This can create a barrier from the outset. The evaluation recognised that women often reported feeling referrals were something that was done to them, rather than with or for them. When we begin working with women we need to show them they can trust us. This means being reliable, not giving up when things get difficult, and when we say we’re going to do something, we do it.
The power of peers
The evaluation highlighted the integral part peer support plays in the project. Whilst the group environment can be seen as intimidating to begin with, common experiences shared by the mothers and the understanding and empathy this brings is a powerful element in the process of self-acceptance. This is seen clearly whilst women are engaging in positive activities.
Open to all
The demographics of those accessing our service are not representative of the wider city. Working with the local authority, we want to better understand if this is reflective of people under social care in Sheffield. Where underrepresentation exists, either through challenges in the referral process, awareness of services, or cultural and systemic barriers to accessing support, we want to explore new ways to ensure everyone has access to the right support for them.
Developing new skills
The evaluation found that engaging in education increased the social capital of the women. Fresh Start works to build independence and coping strategies, and whilst we will support and advocate around any necessary practical help, we empower the women to begin to do this for themselves too. Evidence shows us that this model reduced re-occurrences of child removals as well as numbers of mothers who have experienced child removal presenting at mental health services.
Next steps
Project 6 have four key recommendations in addition to those already raised and actioned from the evaluation. We believe this would allow the service to better meet the needs of those we work with.