Midwives to identify risk of home loss

Published on 25/10/2012 01:40

New training for midwives could help prevent mothers-to-be from becoming homeless.

It is hoped the “groundbreaking” initiative will help 
midwives spot the signs that may indicate a woman in their care is at risk of losing her home.

A special training package has been launched by the housing and homelessness charity 
Shelter Scotland and the Royal College of Midwives.

The charity said at the end of June, 3,293 households were in temporary accommodation, which included either pregnant women and or children.

There are almost 2,400 
midwives in Scotland. The new training is designed to raise awareness of the health problems that can be associated with someone losing their home. It also covers the definitions of homelessness and the duties local councils have to house pregnant women and their families before and after a baby is born.

Midwives will also be given guidance on how to help 
pregnant women forced to flee 
domestic abuse.

Gillian Smith, director of the Royal College of Midwives in Scotland, said the training was a “vital resource to educate 
midwives about the warning signs of homelessness”.