Suffolk defends safeguarding policy after mums flee abroad

The authority has faced widespread criticism as a res­ult of the separate cases where Suffolk women left the country to avoid possible child protection proceedings.

Megan Coote, 21, fled with her parents after a pre-birth assessment allegedly flagged up that she has difficulties showing emotion. Another couple, who are known as Jim and Carissa for legal reasons, also moved to Spain over fears their baby could be subject to care proceedings, after Carissa was diagnosed with a "personality disorder". Both mothers gave birth last month.

But Cliff James, head of safeguarding at Suffolk, told CYP Now that the issue of mothers-to-be fleeing abroad was one that was growing nat­ionally. He added that greater understanding of the role of social services was required.
"We are not that concerned about people being critical of us; we are more concerned about child protection," said James. "Where the protection of the child is a concern, we have to fulfill our statutory dut­ies and take actions."