About this page
This page is intended for professionals working with expectant parents, babies and families in Bristol. It includes guidance and resources to support professional practice, as well as links to public‑facing services that professionals may wish to share directly with parents and carers.
Public-facing support services
A range of services in Bristol are available to support expectant and new parents, providing information, advice, and tailored support, including for dads and co‑parents.
Professionals can use the links below to signpost families directly to these services.
In Bristol, the perinatal period is most often defined as spanning pregnancy and the first two years following childbirth. Some sources may also describe the perinatal period as pregnancy and the first 12 months after childbirth.
Perinatal mental illness affects up to 27% of new and expectant mothers and includes a wide range of conditions, such as antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety. If left untreated, perinatal mental health difficulties can have significant and long‑lasting impacts on the parent, the infant, and the wider family.
Information and guidance
Sirona offers community‑based emotional wellbeing and mental health support for expectant parents and families with young children in Bristol.
The Maternal Mental Health Alliance provides accessible information on perinatal mental health conditions. This includes common risk factors and guidance to support professionals in recognising early signs and symptoms.
Specialist assessment and referral pathways
While many parents experience common mental health difficulties during the perinatal period, some conditions require specialist assessment and intervention.
The Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) provides a Postpartum Psychosis Pathway to support professionals in recognising, assessing and responding to suspected cases of Postpartum Psychosis.
Where concerns relate to perinatal mental health, with or without difficulties in the parent–infant or parent–unborn relationship, referrals should be made to the Specialist Community Perinatal Mental Health Service (AWP). The service accepts referrals from 12 weeks’ gestation up to 20 months postnatally.
Further information about referral criteria, processes and the Postpartum Psychosis Pathway is available on the AWP Perinatal Mental Health landing page.
Non‑mobile babies are not able to cause injuries to themselves. Any injury in a non‑mobile baby must therefore be considered a potential indicator of significant harm and requires prompt, appropriate professional response.
Professional Resources
The Multi‑Agency Guidance for Injuries in Non‑Mobile Babies, alongside guidance on Congenital Dermal Melanocytosis (previously referred to as blue spot marks), has been developed to support professionals in identifying, assessing and responding to injuries in non‑mobile babies.
An accompanying information leaflet is also available and should be shared with parents and carers where relevant.
Professionals should follow the multi‑agency guidance in line with safeguarding procedures when concerns are identified.
