Pause

Pause is an innovative, dynamic and creative approach designed to address the needs of women who have experienced, or are at risk of, repeat pregnancies that result in children being looked after by the local authority.

Pause works with the women to break this cycle. We give women the opportunity to pause and take control of their lives. We use a relationship based model to engage women in order to support them making positive changes in their lives, that breaks destructive patterns, enabling them to learn new skills.

At Pause our practitioners offer an intensive programme of therapeutic, practical, and behavioural support using an integrated and systemic model. Each woman has a bespoke programme designed around her needs. Practitioners have supported women who have been homeless, have mental health and physical health issues, drug and alcohol issues, have experienced domestic violence, and who have suffered grief and loss when their children are removed from their care. We have also supported women with their learning and employment.

Cumbria PAUSE has been part of a national evaluation which evidences the success of the PAUSE approach.

This is what some of our women say about their experience with PAUSE.

“Before I started at Pause I was in a really low place in my life, I tried to kill myself and through working with Pause slowly and surely I am now in a better place, They have learned me to take control of my life, rather than waiting for someone else to give me my life back”

“I had a bad time at the start and Pause basically helped me overcome the situation and become a better and stronger person”

“Pause has helped me think a lot clearer, made me think about myself more, they were basically there at the right time when I needed help and support”

Despite the difficulties during Covid -19, we have managed to achieve excellent outcomes for our women. At the end of May 2021 we celebrated with our second community of women who had completed the programme and look forward to working with our new cohort of women.

The women should be really proud of themselves and their achievements and Cumbria should be proud of having such a successful programme which has resulted in fewer children entering the care system.