Repeat care cases 'cause enormous suffering' to mothers

The removal of children from their parents by local authorities causes "enormous suffering" that can lead to a cycle of pregnancies and care proceedings, the Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) has said.

Court records for that period show 7,143 mothers were involved in repeat care cases over the last seven years in England - affecting 22,790 children.

But Mike Shaw, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, explained that repeat care cases can be prevented by offering families support and helping parents to overcome any drug and alcohol addictions.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Monday 23 June.