Miller Research was commissioned by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board, via Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, to undertake research into services that support parent mental health and wellbeing in edge of care and reunification contexts across the Cwm Taf Morgannwg region. The research focused on the needs of adults as parents, and on how services can better support parental wellbeing to help prevent unnecessary parent-child separation. 

The study explored the relationship between parental mental ill health, substance misuse and domestic abuse, and the ways in which these factors can affect parenting capacity and increase safeguarding concerns. The work combined evidence review, analysis of regional data, mapping of current provision, stakeholder interviews and parent perspectives to build a detailed picture of the strengths and gaps in current support. 

The research found that while there is a broad range of support available across the region, services are often fragmented, threshold-driven and reactive rather than preventative. The work highlighted pressures around access to therapeutic support, inconsistent integration between adult and children’s services, and the importance of trusted, trauma-informed and relationship-based practice. It also identified positive practice within the region and drew on wider case study evidence to show how integrated, family-focused approaches can improve outcomes for parents and children. 

The final report set out recommendations to strengthen early intervention, improve collaboration and information sharing, embed a stronger parenting lens within adult services, and expand access to timely, flexible and family-focused therapeutic support.