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Vulnerability of Babies resources

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The Vulnerability of Young Babies

Young babies are particularly vulnerable because they are entirely reliant on caregivers for their safety, care, and emotional wellbeing. They are unable to verbalise concerns, remove themselves from harmful situations, or access support independently. Any neglect, abuse, or unmet health needs can have a profound impact on their immediate wellbeing and long-term development, making early identification of risk factors and timely intervention crucial.

Recent local and national reviews have highlighted the importance of strengthening professional understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of babies and ensuring that concerns are recognised and responded to at the earliest opportunity.

National Context : Vulnerable Babies

Babies under 1 make up the highest proportion of serious child safeguarding incidents, and this age group experiences the highest fatality rate. This page brings together key information, examples and practical resources to help professionals understand the risks and take appropriate action

 https://childsafeguarding.independent-panel.uk/hub-topic/vulnerable-babies/#toc-heading-briefing-papers-and-learning

Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s National review into the death of baby Victoria Marten

Protecting all vulnerable babies better – National review into the broader safeguarding issues raised by the death of baby Victoria Marten or Summary of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel's National review into the death of baby Victoria Marten

Slough Safeguarding Children Partnership invited professionals from all sectors to take part in a week of learning (28 September - 2 October 2026) focusing on these themes. 

To support ongoing learning and development, this page brings together recordings, presentation materials and resources from our Safeguarding Young Babies Learning Week. Whether you attended the sessions live or were unable to join us, you can access expert-led presentations and practical resources and recordings to enhance your knowledge and inform your work with babies, infants and their families.

Childhood Neglect- It's impact on Infant Brain Development and consequences across the lifespan

Dr. Sharada Deepak, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist , Clarice Ngemoh & Seirian Lightfoot, Health Visitors

Parental substance use Impact on unborn babies and infants

Trevor Heron, Turning Point (Substance misuse advisory service)

Those who don’t cruise, don’t bruise’: Bruising in non-mobile babies

Dr Laura Kilbey, Consultant Community Paediatrician

National experience: learning about practice, safeguarding young babies

Kelechi Ukandu, Independent Safeguarding Consultant

Getting to know your Best Start Family Hub in Slough

Johanna Mullin, Parenting and Home learning Co-Ordinator, Bernadette Kelly and Belinda South, Family Hubs Co-Ordinators

Pre-Birth Assessments

Michaela Smith, Principal Social Worker (SCF), Prudence Chikwanha, Named Safeguarding Midwife and Katie Dagnell, Named Nurse Children Safeguarding

Supporting Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Parents: Understanding Needs, Reducing Risk and Strengthening Infant Wellbeing and Families

Audrey Carty, Children and Adult Safeguarding Consultant 

Pre Birth Assessments

NSPCC – Understanding Pre-Birth Assessment (Podcast)

https://youtu.be/kTlh5tiJL6k?si=KYeZh4wx6SNj4g_S

Domestic Abuse 

Domestic abuse in pregnancy: expert insight videos

Domestic abuse in pregnancy: expert insight videos | NSPCC Learning

Domestic abuse support in Slough : Slough Domestic Abuse Cranstoun

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk 

24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247

Safe Sleep 

Safe Sleep Guidance

Safer sleep overview | The Lullaby Trust

Vodcast on Safer Sleeping

 https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2026/07/safer-sleep-in-early-years-settings-qa/

Parental Substance use during pregnancy 

Alcohol and Pregnancy Leaflet

Cannabis & Pregnancy Leaflet

Cocaine & Pregnancy Leaflet

Heroin & Pregnancy Leaflet

Methadone & Pregnancy Leaflet

Bruising in Babies 

Bruising/Suspicious Marks on Children Not Independently...

ICON - Babies Cry, You Can Cope

https://iconcope.org 

Parenting Resources 

CBeebies Parenting – advice, tips and podcasts for parents

Coram Family Lives - Parenting and Family Support

Support & advice for families | NSPCC

Baby (0-2 years) - Best Start in Life

Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life

Life - The charity for women facing the unexpected

Home | The Lullaby Trust

How a child's brain develops through early experiences

Baby Sling Safety – Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.

Bonding With Babies: Nurturing Your Connection | Triple P

How to be Kinder to Yourself as a Parent | Triple P

Helping parents avoid ‘burnout’ amid extra stress | Triple P

Look, Say, Sing, Play - Brain-building tips | NSPCC

 Caring-for-Baby-at-Night-2025.pdf

 Positive parenting

 Child Accident Prevention Trust | A safer world for all our children

Togetherness – previously Solihull Parenting -free for Slough residents – password PARENTING

Slough Family Information Service (FIS)

Information, advice and signposting for families with children aged 0-19, including SEND support, parenting programmes and local services.

https://www.sloughfis.co.uk 

Slough Children's First

Children's social care and early help services.

https://www.sloughchildrenfirst.co.uk

Slough Family Hubs

Family Hubs provide support from pregnancy through childhood and offer parenting support, infant feeding advice, speech and language support and links to wider services.

https://www.slough.gov.uk/family-hubs

Health Visiting Services (Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust)

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/children-young-people/health-visiting/ 

NSPCC

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk 

https://www.nspcc.org.uk 

Home-Start UK

https://www.home-start.org.uk 

PANDAS Foundation: 

Paternal and Maternal mental health support : 

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk 

NCT (National Childbirth Trust)

https://www.nct.org.uk 

Citizens Advice

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

Baby Bank Support for Families

The Baby Bank (Berkshire) provides essential equipment, clothing and practical items for families experiencing financial hardship or crisis. Support is available through professional referral and includes newborn starter kits, cots, pushchairs, clothing bundles, school uniform and other baby essentials. The service supports families across Berkshire, including Slough. 

Website: https://thebabybank.org/ 
Professional referrals: https://thebabybank.org/referrals/