Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™
SAFECHAIN™ Health and Care Framework Series
Framework Purpose
The Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™ establishes a governance architecture for identifying, connecting and responding to safeguarding intelligence throughout pregnancy, maternity care and the postnatal period.
The framework recognises that maternity services may provide a unique opportunity to identify hidden harm, domestic abuse, coercive control, parental vulnerability, exploitation and risks affecting both parent and child.
Framework Definition
Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™ is a governance framework that strengthens the identification, recording, sharing and use of safeguarding intelligence across maternity pathways through trauma-informed care, clinical governance, evidence integrity and multi-agency accountability.
Organising Principle
Pregnancy and maternity care may be one of the first points where hidden harm becomes visible. Safeguarding intelligence must connect the signs before risk becomes crisis.
Intended Users
NHS England
Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
NHS Trusts
Maternity Services
Midwives
Obstetric Teams
Maternity Safeguarding Leads
Health Visitors
General Practices
Neonatal Services
Mental Health Services
Local Authorities
Children’s Social Care
Safeguarding Partnerships
Domestic Abuse Services
Police Services
Clinical Governance Teams
Framework Domains
Domain 1 — Maternity Safeguarding Governance™
Establishing leadership, accountability and oversight for safeguarding within maternity services.
Focus areas:
safeguarding leadership;
governance structures;
clinical accountability;
assurance reporting;
organisational responsibility.
Domain 2 — Pregnancy Vulnerability Recognition Integrity™
Strengthening recognition of safeguarding risks during pregnancy.
Focus areas:
domestic abuse;
coercive control;
exploitation;
trauma;
mental health vulnerability;
financial vulnerability;
social isolation.
Domain 3 — Maternity Record Integrity™
Ensuring maternity records accurately capture safeguarding intelligence.
Focus areas:
antenatal records;
chronology;
professional observations;
risk indicators;
continuity of information.
Domain 4 — Hidden Harm Recognition Integrity™
Supporting early identification of concerns that may not present as immediate safeguarding incidents.
Focus areas:
behavioural indicators;
repeated concerns;
missed appointments;
partner influence;
communication patterns;
changes in presentation.
Domain 5 — Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Integrity™
Embedding recognition and response to abuse experienced during pregnancy.
Focus areas:
coercive control;
physical harm;
emotional abuse;
economic abuse;
survivor safety;
referral pathways.
Domain 6 — Multi-Agency Safeguarding Intelligence™
Connecting maternity information with wider safeguarding systems.
Focus areas:
children’s services;
social care;
police;
health visitors;
domestic abuse services;
community support.
Domain 7 — Trauma-Informed Maternity Practice™
Ensuring maternity care recognises the impact of trauma.
Focus areas:
psychological safety;
respectful communication;
informed choice;
dignity;
reducing re-traumatisation.
Domain 8 — Parent Participation Integrity™
Supporting meaningful involvement of parents in decisions affecting maternity care and safeguarding.
Focus areas:
informed participation;
communication;
advocacy;
autonomy;
support needs.
Domain 9 — Information Sharing Integrity™
Supporting lawful, proportionate and timely sharing of maternity safeguarding information.
Focus areas:
confidentiality;
consent;
safeguarding duties;
professional judgement;
information governance.
Domain 10 — Infant and Child Safeguarding Continuity™
Supporting safeguarding continuity from pregnancy into early childhood.
Focus areas:
unborn child safeguarding;
transition planning;
early intervention;
family support;
continuity of care.
Domain 11 — Evidence and Learning Integrity™
Using maternity safeguarding information to improve accountability and outcomes.
Focus areas:
reviews;
audits;
serious incident learning;
record analysis;
improvement planning.
Domain 12 — Continuous Safeguarding Improvement™
Embedding learning, evaluation and improvement across maternity systems.
Focus areas:
workforce development;
training;
governance review;
service improvement;
system resilience.
Intended Outcomes
Earlier recognition of hidden harm
Improved maternity safeguarding responses
Stronger identification of domestic abuse and coercive control
Better continuity between maternity and safeguarding services
Improved parent participation
Stronger information sharing
Enhanced infant protection
Trauma-informed maternity care
Improved clinical governance
Increased accountability
Relationship to SAFECHAIN™ Frameworks
Foundational Frameworks
Safeguarding Intelligence Model™
Evidence Integrity™
Participation Integrity™
Disclosure Integrity™
Institutional Fragmentation™
Process Integrity™
Legal Duty of Care™
Health and Care Frameworks
NHS Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™
Mental Health Safeguarding Continuity Framework™
Adult Social Care Vulnerability Governance Framework™
Primary Care Hidden Harm Recognition Framework™
Health Records Evidence Integrity Framework™
Children and Family Frameworks
Family Justice Safeguarding Framework™
Child Protection Intelligence Framework™
Child Participation Integrity Framework™
Digital Frameworks
Digital Evidence Integrity™
Survivor Privacy by Design™
Trauma-Informed Digital Design™
Digital Safeguarding Maturity Model™
Academy Pathway
Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence™ Professional Programme
Hidden Harm Recognition in Maternity Practice Programme
Trauma-Informed Maternity Governance Programme
Standards Alignment
Supports development of:
Maternity Safeguarding Standards
Clinical Governance Standards
Domestic Abuse Recognition Standards
Trauma-Informed Care Standards
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Standards
Maternity Record Integrity Standards
Infant Protection Standards
Seal of Integrity™
The SAFECHAIN™ Seal of Integrity™ recognises maternity systems committed to identifying hidden harm, protecting parents and infants, strengthening safeguarding intelligence and embedding accountable, trauma-informed care.
Copyright
© SAFECHAIN™. All Rights Reserved.
The Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™ is proprietary intellectual property developed by SAFECHAIN™ and forms part of the SAFECHAIN™ Health and Care Framework Series.
No part of this framework may be copied, reproduced, adapted, licensed, distributed, commercialised or incorporated into derivative frameworks without prior written permission from SAFECHAIN™.
SAFECHAIN™, Maternity Safeguarding Intelligence Framework™, the SAFECHAIN™ Seal of Integrity™ and associated governance architecture are protected intellectual property.