Tory MP plans network to help parents bond with babies

Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom has announced plans to create a national network of charitable parenting projects to offer intensive support to parents unable to bond with their babies.

The MP hopes the Parent Infant Projects will reduce the risk of children being taken into care and address the “lifelong negative impact” of a parent not bonding with their child.

The project has already been running for 12 years as Oxpip in Oxfordshire, where Leadsom was a former councillor. She has announced the launch of a second project this month called Norpip in Towcester, in her constituency of South Northamptonshire, and is planning a nationwide roll out over the next three years.

The scheme offers intensive therapeutic counselling to families that have been identified as struggling to form a strong bond with their baby.

Issues tackled by therapists involved include mental health problems such as postnatal depression and dealing with the trauma of a difficult birth.

Leadsom, who continues to be on the board of trustees of Oxpip, said: “I’m convinced that Parent Infant Projects can offer a massive contribution to mending our broken society.”

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Reference Manual: Parental Mental Health