New linked data study explores why some families come into contact with social services early
Early childhood is a crucial period for development yet increasing numbers of babies and toddlers across the UK are coming into contact with social services. Despite this, relatively little is known about when and why this contact begins, how often it occurs, or whether patterns repeat across families.
A new study, published in the International Journal of Population Data Science (IJPDS), aims to address these gaps by linking maternity and social care records in Northern Ireland to build a clearer picture of early social care involvement.
The research will connect information from maternity care with social services records. To follow all first births in Northern Ireland between 2010 and 2017. By linking these datasets, researchers will examine mothers’ and infants’ contact with social services during pregnancy, after birth, and throughout the first two years of a child’s life.
The study will explore several key questions. First, it will describe how often families are referred to social services, undergo child protection investigations, or have a child placed in care during these early years. The researchers will also investigate which factors — such as age, deprivation, health, or past experiences—may be associated with a greater likelihood of social care involvement.
Another focus of the research is repeat removals, where more than one child from the same mother enters care. This pattern has raised concern in previous studies and understanding how and when it occurs could help identify opportunities for earlier support.
The linked data will also allow researchers to examine whether a mother’s own childhood experiences, including time spent in care, are associated with later involvement with social services as a parent.
By analysing these datasets together, researchers will be able to explore the timing of first contact with social services, how involvement escalates or de‑escalates over time, and the circumstances surrounding repeat episodes. Statistical techniques including survival analysis and logistic regression will help identify which factors are most strongly associated with different types of social care involvement.
Importantly, the study uses de-identified data accessed through a secure environment. Personal identifiers are removed before researchers can analyse the information.
The findings will provide the first population-level picture of early social service involvement for children in Northern Ireland. As well as identifying when families first come into contact with services, the research will examine inequalities in experiences and outcomes, including the role of deprivation, which previous studies have linked to higher rates of child welfare intervention.
By offering new insights into the timing and drivers of social care contact during pregnancy and infancy, the study will support earlier identification of families who may benefit from additional support. This could help inform the design of more effective preventative services that reduce harm, support parents, and improv outcomes for children during the earliest and most formative years of life.
Lead author Dr Rachel Leaonard said: “Our study aims to shine a light on the widening inequalities in early childhood that often go unseen. By understanding who is most at risk and when contact begins, we can design better, fairer support for families long before problems escalate. It is so important to remember that behind every data point is a baby, a parent, and a family trying to navigate the early years”.
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Dr Rachel Leonard, School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK