Project Lighthouse: a holding space for motherhood. Being seen and supported following child removal

Child removal, or the transfer of residence, where domestic abuse is alleged and/or found in private law child arrangements proceedings, continues to be used as an order in the England and Wales Family Court. Child removal is considered to be the highest form of state intervention and despite the lack of evidence regarding its effectiveness, it is thought to be increasing. There are no statistics and no current data on private law transfer of residence orders made. In response to concern about the impact of these orders on mothers, expressed in doctoral and peer research, as well as an identified gap in mental health support. Project Lighthouse was established in 2022, offering specialised trauma-informed informed therapeutic support for mothers who have endured domestic abuse and child removal. As part of the charity’s strategic plan an independent evaluation of the therapeutic offer was carried between December 2024 and March 2025, to explore impact and areas for improvement. This paper presents and discusses the findings from that evaluation.