Date published: 11 December 2023
Mersey Care has extended its Building Attachment and Bonds Service (BABS) to St Helens as part of its early years support for children and families.
The service, which is already delivered across Halton, Knowsley, South Sefton, Southport and Formby and Warrington, provides parent infant mental health support for vulnerable families while Mum is pregnant and in the early weeks after the baby is born.
BABS will offer specialist, therapeutic support to families in St Helens to help them build good bonds and attachment with their baby. It accepts referrals from midwives, health visitors, GPs, social workers and other multi-agency professionals working with families.
An initial home visit will take place within four weeks of referral being accepted and the service also welcomes telephone enquiries to discuss suitability prior to referral on 0151 351 8801. Sessions may also take place in the family home or in the local Family Hubs in the community.
In adition to the clinical support provided by Mersey Care to families, specialist parent infant mentla health training and consultation is provided to multi-agency professionals locally.
Referrals to the service can be sent to Cmicb-ss.merseycarebabs@nhs.net
