Addicted: Last Chance Mums Panorama

Can a drug addict mother change?

Or should the state take away her baby?

More children were taken into care last year than ever before,

with many cases directly linked to substance misuse.

With addiction fuelling a care crisis, should mothers

be given the chance to turn things around and keep their kids?

Panorama investigates these last chance mums.

It's thought that one in 20 pregnant women in the UK

are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

If they don't get clean, their children can be taken into care.

Almost half of drug-using mums

don't have their children living with them.

But research has shown that mothers who are allowed to remain

with their kids are much more likely to try and fight their addiction.

About 10 years ago, there were quite a lot of rehabs that worked

with women and children, but over the years, due to funding cuts

and various other reasons, one by one, they've closed.

In terms of a unit that's just working with mothers and children,

I believe we're the only one.

Trevi House in Plymouth is one of the last rehab units in the UK

that allows mothers to keep their children

while they try to get clean.

The majority of women that come into Trevi

have either been on heroin or crack cocaine, or both.

Women are referred through the courts or social services.

It takes 3-6 months to complete treatment,

and costs up to £38,000,

which needs to be funded by their local authority.

Residents here follow a strict programme of detox therapy

and parenting support.

Come in!

Women and children are under 24/7 observation by the 30-strong team,

made up of nursery workers, therapists and support staff.

Doing chores and looking after the communal areas are also

an important aspect of life here,

helping to build a sense of community.

-Your cleaning is perfect.

-Always is.

Cos I'm a good girl.

But everybody is aware of the strict house rules.

If a woman uses drugs, uses alcohol, the placement is ended.

And there's no negotiating around that, there's no discussion.

For most families, that means that a child is removed.

For the women here,

this is likely to be the last chance to keep their children.

How did you do that?

How did you do that?

We joined Leanne, 37, four months into her treatment.

All right, my darling.

Her smile, it lights up my day.

I get more of a buzz off of her smile

than I did off of any drugs.

Leanne first took heroin when she was just 18.

And then, after a number of years clean, began using again

when she got into a relationship with the father of her child.

It's not easy, here. It's not... It's not a holiday camp.

They put you through a lot of, um...

..dealing with your problems.

And you get a lot of negative feedback, cos obviously,

to get here in the first place, a lot of bad stuff's happened.

Leanne must prove she can get clean and be a fit mother for her baby.

If I leave before my time's up, I signed an agreement saying

that I would be walking out of the gate without her.

And I'm not going to do that.

No.

BABY CRIES

Leanne has already had one child removed from her care,

and was addicted to both drugs and alcohol.

I was on heroin, but I was smoking weed, as well, and drinking.

And on Valium, diazepam.

My skin was all grey. I was as skinny as anything. I was...

I was wearing 13-year-old clothes at 37.

As soon as Leanne found out she was pregnant,

she was put on methadone,

a drug commonly used to wean people off heroin.

SHE WHISPERS TO BABY

Have you got your plan upstairs?

Methadone is itself addictive,

so a specialist team administer the drug

and supervise the detox process.

Get every last drop down.

Soon, Leanne's methadone will be stopped

and one of the hardest parts of her recovery will begin.

If she relapses,

her daughter will be removed from her care immediately.

On your feet. That one, on your feet.

No? All right.

Hayley is 37 and three months into her programme.

I was a greedy addict.

Heroin, crack cocaine, spice, weed,

and I was also drinking.

She has had six children.

Three of them are in care.

When one-year-old Codie was born,

he was made the subject of a child protection order.

There's a lot of things in my life I don't like talking about,

cos obviously, it...

..shouldn't have happened, and...

Yeah.

Before coming here, Hayley was addicted to heroin for 22 years.

I just wish I could turn back time and realise, you know,

what I was doing wasn't covering pain.

It wasn't replacing anything.

It was just making things worse, really.

CODIE BABBLES

It was quite mad, because when I had my other kids,

giving up wasn't an option.

-It wasn't enough to give up back then...

-CODIE COUGHS AND GURGLES

..like, for the kids or even for myself.

But then when I found out I was 20, 24 weeks pregnant

and didn't even know. I was living out on the streets at the time.

I don't know, something just switched in...

CHILD GURGLES

Time to grow up and fix all the wrongs to rights.

CHILD SQUEALS HAPPILY

One in four mothers who have a child taken into care

go on to have more children.

Lots of the women we assess have had previous children removed.

Why is this the time that's going to be different?

Not all applications to Trevi House are successful.

To secure a place,

women must convince the assessment team that they are ready to change.

It's a big day for Leanne.

Another couple of weeks have passed,

and the time has come for her to take her last dose of methadone.

-Last 5ml?

-It is.

My last 5ml!

-She won't remember any of this.

-She's so clever.

Woohoo!

Give Mummy a clap. Yay!

-APPLAUSE

-I'll give myself a clap.

Yeah, the methadone is finished.

How do you feel?

Yeah, I feel fine.

-Are you excited?

-Yeah.

I'm fine.

Thank you. Enjoy your cake, there.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Oh, thank you.

I feel a bit like a weight's been lifted off me.

Oh, it's all strange.

I don't know how I'll feel tomorrow...

SEAGULLS SQUAWK

..but I'll probably be the same, because I've had enough.

Tomorrow will be the first time in years that she will be drug-free.

Key to the unique approach here is the children being nearby.

They are looked after in the on-site nursery

while the mothers attend therapy.

There are two sessions a day and both are mandatory.

Today's group is being run by key worker Lee.

Does anyone know what a genogram is?

It's a diagram just help us to see the, sort of, make-up of our family.

-This way?

-Yeah.

This session is looking at family patterns.

All right?

Is this really relevant to our treatment?

-Mmm.

-Truthfully?

-Yeah.

So this is Hayley's...Hayley's genogram, and her family tree.

So, this is for anybody in the family

that's had any...any issues with substance abuse.

And the next one is, all right, domestic abuse, OK?

And me.

And mental health issues.

Forcing the women to look at their complex pasts is an important

part of recovery.

This has been quite difficult for you, hasn't it?

Because this is connecting to, you know, your mum,

who obviously you've called a slut.

-I imagine...

-She's not my mum.

-Yeah.

-She don't deserve the title of mum.

-Yeah, yeah.

-And that's the impact she's had, isn't it?

-Mm-hmm.

So how did her alcohol use affect you?

She used to get pissed up with the bloke that used to abuse me,

and then, like, she didn't care just to

-chuck me over to that house to get abused.

-Yeah.

She just didn't have a care in the world.

-Yeah.

-The thing we got was slaps, torture and given over to perverts.

That's all we got from that woman,

and a load of lies.

This group isn't about blame in any way whatsoever.

It's clear that Hayley's family history is particularly troubled.

When I was really young, I was sexually abused nearly every day,

from the age of about five, six till I was 14.

Erm... It went to court.

He got eight years.

Hayley is not alone.

Most women who come here are victims of abuse or domestic violence,

including Leanne.

I got pregnant,

and her dad was very violent.

He was... He was hitting me a lot before the pregnancy,

but when I got pregnant, the violence got ten times worse.

Leanne was subject to systematic domestic abuse

at the hands of her ex-partner.

He started shattering bones in my face,

and strangling me unconscious,

and kicking me down the stairs when I was pregnant.

One attack was so vicious, Leanne ended up in hospital for 26 days,

and her partner was arrested.

Yeah.

Yeah, I'm very nervous about doing it, to be honest.

I know I'm not in trouble but I'm going to feel like I am.

She's speaking to the Victim Support team,

as she will need to testify at his trial.

Yeah, she's going to ring Plymouth Crown Court and set up

a video link, and then there'll be no-one in and around the court.

I just can't relive it all, no.

And the barristers, they'll bring up everything,

cos they're...they're clever people as well,

and they will bring up everything.

Come and see us if you need anything, all right?

-All right. I'll see you.

-Bye.

Rachel's here tonight till 9.00.

Support for women here isn't limited to the rehabilitation process.

They also help residents handling issues

not directly related to drug use.

I'd rather on Thursday,

but he could be back, and then I can't...

Today, Leanne must go to court and give evidence

against her ex-partner using a video link.

Key worker Kerry goes with her.

I used to say, you will kill the baby,

stop hitting me, you will kill the baby and he...

..used to do it worse.

Just got to remember those reasons you told me

on the phone last night as to why you are here.

Despite all the help they get, 40% of women who come here

fail to complete the programme, and leave without their children.

Hayley is struggling, and she has told staff she wants to leave.

I've said before, though,

I've said to you, all of you, is when people have walked out...

Everyone that's ever walked out has regretted it and

they've phoned up either the same day or the following day and said,

"I've really made a big mistake, can I come back?"

To be honest, I didn't think it would be that hard.

If Hayley walks out, she risks Codie being removed from her care.

I know you are struggling now but you have still done a good job

because you have dealt with things in a different way.

You have actually learned some strategies already.

We show you these techniques, you've got to practise them,

-you know what I mean? It's like anything, you know.

-Yeah.

I want to be a decent mum.

Which I wasn't in the past, do you know what I mean?

And I want to be clean, I want to stay clean.

In the future you'll look back and this is the making of you.

The next few days will be critical...

..and Hayley isn't the only one finding it tough.

Leanne being disengaged

and she was late for collecting baby four times.

At a weekly family review meeting,

staff are worried Leanne is not coping.

Staff worked to continue to support with baby overnight.

Staff regularly assess mother and baby's progress.

The child's welfare is paramount.

-HS voiced that Leanne had told her

-(MUTED)

-had been wearing the same

baby grow for 48 hours. Nursery staff confirmed that this was true.

L voiced that she appreciate it

but felt bad as he hadn't had a bath in over a week.

Wasn't a particularly a good week for Leanne, last week.

Tuesday got a phone call early in the morning saying that

Leanne wanted to leave and she was going to leave.

-TSWs had phoned me, legally she cannot leave with

-(MUTED).

I met with her in the morning and basically said to her,

-you can leave but

-(MUTED)

-will be staying here at Trevi

and they would look at placing her into foster care.

Leanne's lack of hygiene are red flags for the Trevi team.

And social services have been informed.

If she doesn't turn things around, her placement will be ended

and her child will be removed from her care.

Oi! Come and see what I've got.

Mash up.

Lee's one-to-one with Hayley has had an impact,

and she has decided to stay.

Dealing with the past.

All them feelings I've pushed down for so many years.

Facing...

..shit that has happened.

Finding out why it happened.

Understanding it a bit more.

I can build a life.

I've just got to stay strong and fight through it.

Hayley has got another 10 weeks until she leaves Trevi House.

Leaving comes with its own risks.

Many ex-residents relocate to Plymouth and there is

an ongoing support network to help them once they've left.

The pressure is on, when you have kids...

Today, Hayley is meeting ex-residents Rosie and Emma.

It wasn't always easy,

the first year of leaving Trevi was really, really challenging for me.

Really, really challenging.

Because I was trying to cope with everything myself

and I just thought, "I'm OK, I'm OK" and actually

I needed more support than I was admitting I needed to myself.

It is OK not to be OK.

It is OK to be like, actually, I am not all right at the minute.

I'm moving soon and I'm worried about it.

What are you worried about?

Like the last three days I thought getting clean, that's it done,

but it's not.

I have been craving horribly and people see craving

come and go but it is stuck with me for three days now.

Dealing with addiction is a daily battle.

If you sat here and told me you never ever think about a drink or a drug

or you didn't ever feel like doing it I would think you are a liar.

I know it sounds mean but my other kids have been through

some shit and I just don't want it for Codie.

But I'm scared. I am, I'm scared.

I'm scared to be clean, I'm scared to find out who I am.

I had fear, fear of failing. Everything.

Fear of life, isn't it?

You know I had doubts,

I felt all of that but I continued despite all of that...

..because of my son.

And what you have got which is the bit that gets women through

is that sheer bloody determination to do it for your boy.

That tenacity, that fight.

A few days after the family review and with the court case

and detox behind her, Leanne is coping much better.

And in two weeks she will be ready to leave.

You do work through a lot of things here, not just detox.

The detox is just on top of everything else.

And when you're working through your emotions as well

and dealing with life in a different way,

looking at life from a different angle, it's hard.

Hayley is close to finishing her treatment, so she's allowed

to attend her brother's wedding without supervision.

-I forgot you're short, Mum, sorry.

-Shut up.

THEY LAUGH

Right, get those bloody leggings off.

Now you're going to have to stand up now, love.

Beryl, who has been like a grandmother to Hayley,

helps her get ready.

BERYL SIGHS

She was always up to something.

-Supposed to have been at school, weren't you?

-Mmm.

And where were you?

-On the field smoking a spliff, Mum.

-Yeah, or at mine.

-Or at yours.

I was worried about her when she started on the drugs.

And now she's completely different and, yeah, I am very proud of her.

You've done us all proud.

It is just a shame that she had to see me at that part.

And what did I say to you many years ago?

-"You'll wake up one day."

-Yeah.

Hayley lived on the streets here for four years.

Being back in the city where she suffered abuse,

and clean for the first time, has been a true test.

CHEERING

Six months after she walked into Trevi House,

pregnant and on methadone,

the time has come for Leanne to say goodbye.

Now, you've had your ups and downs and, you know, some difficult times,

you know, you're going through the detox and everything like that.

I believe that you're going to go out there

-and be a fantastic mum to your daughter.

-Thank you.

Leanne has successfully completed her programme and will be

allowed to keep her baby, as long as she remains drug-free.

Do you know what? It says that they're sorry you're leaving, yeah?

-I'm not sorry, I'm gutted.

-Aw.

Cos I think you're mint, do you know what I mean?

But I still think you ought to stay, just for me.

Aw.

The friendships the women build are an important part of their recovery.

Leanne, it's now time for you to go.

It's been a pleasure to meet you and I wanted you to know.

Remember life isn't easy, no matter where you are.

But the gates to Trevi are never far.

THEY LAUGH

Cheers.

Trevi House will continue to support her, even after she leaves,

with regular contact and updates.

But with just ten beds, most addicted mothers aren't as lucky as Leanne.

Why is it important that we as a society have to carry on

giving chances to women like you?

For people like me, that want their children, that want to do it,

cos we do want to do it and, well, there's

plenty of women out there that do want their children

and aren't just coming here for silly reasons.

They are coming here to sort their life out,

to deal with their emotions and leave with their children.

Oh, there's Nemo.

A six-month placement here is expensive for cash-strapped councils.

It's not a cheap answer, Trevi House.

It's a lot of money.

But when you look at the bigger picture, it's a

really worthwhile investment.

Care can cost in the hundreds of thousands per child.

This approach gives families the chance to break the cycle.

Mum stops using drugs. The child doesn't end up in care.

And actually, long-term,

it's an investment that saves money the whole way across the system.

But with not all mothers successfully completing

the programme, it's a risk some local authorities won't take.

People say to me time and time again,

"You must have a waiting list as long as your arm."

As I sit here and talk to you, we're half-full

and that's the reality.

Hayley's hard work has paid off.

CODIE GURGLES

What is he telling you?

I ain't got a bloody clue.

SHE LAUGHS

The aim for every resident is to prove she can be a fit mother,

and to lower social services' involvement in her child's care.

Can you tell me about what's happening on Monday?

I am coming off of CP,

and going on to Child in Need.

What does that mean?

It means that I just work with Trevi House,

and I carry on doing what I'm doing with no social worker.

Hayley is now trusted to look after her son with no

involvement from social services.

It's a fresh start. And he can have a life like he deserves.

Yeah, and I can be a mum, finally, after all these years of battling it.

I've done it.

Dirty!

Done it. I've got where I wanted to be.

Done it.

Who said people like us can't do it, eh?

Set your head to it, you can do it.