Pause in Doncaster

Pause Doncaster works with women who have experienced or are at risk of repeated pregnancies that result in children being removed from their care.

“You may come to this webpage looking for support after your child/ children have been removed from your care. You may be feeling devastated or full of shame, keep reading as Pause is a safe place to share your feelings where you won’t be judged.” - A woman on Pause

What is Pause?

Pause is a service that aims to support women who no longer have their children in their care; we do not support women to get their children back and we are not a parenting programme. We want to enable women to take a ‘pause’ from pregnancy and further court proceedings, allowing them to focus on themselves and make positive choices and changes in their life.

Pause logo

We know that a programme like Pause is most effective when a woman has no children in her care and she is in a position, sometimes for the first time, to focus on herself and her own needs.

To support your decision to take a pause in pregnancy, it is a requirement of Pause that women choose a form of contraception that will sustain a pause in pregnancy for the duration of the programme. You do not need to make this decision before starting work with us, we will support you to decide whether this is right for you.

“Pause listens to you when you are stressed out. You get to know all the Pause team so you always feel supported, there is always someone to help. When going through hard times you can talk it through. Group sessions are good to meet women in similar situations to you. You don’t feel so alone!” - A woman on Pause

Helping women to pause and take control

Pause understands that every woman is different. We want to get to know you and help you understand and work towards the goals that matter to you. We want to give you the opportunity to pause and take control of your life. We see you as a whole person with many different needs, skills and qualities. Support will look differently for each woman.

We will work with you to find new ways to work through past experiences, any challenges you might be currently facing, and help you to develop new ways of coping and building support networks for a more positive future.

We can also work with the people who are important to you including; the fathers of your children, partners, family members and friends - as well as professionals if this will help you achieve your goals.

How Pause can help you?

You will be supported by a Pause Practitioner who will spend time getting to know you and building up a trusting relationship with you for up to 18 months. We understand that every woman is different; therefore we ensure our programme is designed to meet your needs. Our work with you can take place at home or in the community; or where you feel most comfortable.

It isn’t always going to be easy. There will be challenges along the way, but we will be there to help you to focus on your goals and work towards a more positive future. Pause is all about you, so you can take control and focus on the things that are important to you!

Pause is an 18 month programme where Practitioners could help you to work with some of the following:

Help you cope with grief and loss
Help you build resilience and self-esteem
Think about education/career plans
Help build relationships with other professionals
Help you to work with challenging systems and situations
Explore the most effective form of long acting reversible contraception, guaranteeing a pause in pregnancy and the space to focus on you and the changes you want to make
Build better relationships with partners and others in your life
Connect you with others in your situation so you don’t feel alone
Access services to cope with issues like drug use and domestic abuse, if and when you are ready
Support you into stable accommodation
Develop your aspirations for the future
Support you to reflect on the past and understand trauma
Access opportunities you may not have experienced or thought about before
Have fun times

Is it for me?

Women working with Pause:

Live in Doncaster
Have had one child removed and are either

a Care Leaver or aged under 19
OR: Have had two or more children removed

Are likely to become pregnant again
Have had a pregnancy or care proceedings within the last 5 years
Do not have children in their care and are not currently pregnant

Amy's story

This leaflet was produced by a woman working with Pause in Doncaster. As part of her Pause journey, she wanted to support others to develop coping strategies by sharing some of the techniques that have helped her.