Nearly 200,000 babies at risk of harm in the UK

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Nearly 200,000 babies at risk of harm in the UK

By Janaki Mahadevan Thursday, 10 November 2011

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Nearly 200,000 babies in the UK are at risk of serious harm, according to figures released by the NSPCC as it launched its campaign to highlight the vulnerability of children aged under one.

Image: NTI

The All Babies Count campaign calls on the government to ensure sufficient services are available so families are supported during infancy and pregnancy because babies are eight times more likely to be killed than any other age group in childhood.

According to research conducted by the charity, more than 198,000 babies are considered high risk because they are born into homes with mental health problems, domestic violence or drink and drug dependency.

Chris Cuthbert, NSPCC head of strategy and development for under-ones, said: "We know from serious case reviews that around half relate to babies under one. We’ve undertaken some research, which has looked at the prevalence of parental factors such as substance misuse, mental illness and domestic abuse.

"These figures show the scale of need. We are looking at around 200,000 babies across the UK who are living in households that are affected by some of these problems. There is an increasing political rhetoric around the importance of early intervention but we are keen to see that translated into greater action and services on the ground."

The report also recommends that the government gives commissioners in health services and local authorities the powers and responsibility to ensure early intervention services are in place and reviews current early intervention services available for families every two years, using this to deliver an action plan to address gaps.

The NSPCC is also set to launch early intervention programmes in 20 areas across the UK.

These include the Preventing Non-Accidental Head Injury Programme, which will provide a DVD to all parents before they leave hospital after the birth of a child to help prepare them for the pressures of crying and sleeplessness, and highlight the risk of head injuries.

The charity will also run Parents under Pressure, an intensive home visiting and parenting programme working with parents receiving drug or alcohol treatment who have a child under two in their care. Vulnerable first-time mothers will also benefit from the Mind the Baby intensive home-visiting programme