A new project is being developed in Norfolk to reduce the number of babies in care and provide support for vulnerable parents who are more likely to be at risk of suicide and post natal depression.

It comes following a cash injection of more than £600,000 after Norfolk County Council's and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's successful bid for a share of £1.6m of government funding.

The grant of £623,395, from the Department for Communities and Local Government's Transformation and Challenge Award, will help create new ways of working that will support mums with postnatal depression and post-puerperal psychosis.

Norwich mum and actress Jessica Pidsley suffered from postpartum psychosis after the birth of her son Albert on February 5 this year and said the grant was 'awesome news' for the county.

The 30-year-old, of Unthank Road, added: 'Having a baby is such an overwhelming, powerful and shocking time for women, and some men, it's really, really a time when people need the most support and care.

'I feel like I had the best result but so many people fall through the net.'

To find out more about Jessica's story click here.

The grant will help fund a project to bring social workers and health professionals together to assess and plan the care for the parents and their children. This will include group therapy sessions where mums can provide support to one another, help to understand their problems and find ways to overcome them.

Norfolk has a higher number of babies coming into care than its statistical neighbours and it is hoped that the project will reduce the numbers of children becoming 'looked after'.

A pilot project has already taken place with seven mums who had children at risk of going into care. In all of these cases their babies have been able to stay with them because of the ongoing support.

Local Government minister Kris Hopkins made the announcement today that public bodies across the East of England would share over £1.6m to transform local service delivery. Norfolk, Luton, Huntingdonshire, Babergh, and Waveney councils have all been awarded the funding.

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