NSPCC calls for Government support to ensure ‘All Babies Count’ as new figures show 198,000 babies in the UK are at risk in families with complex needs The NSPCC has today launched its ‘All Babies Count’ campaign to highlight the vulnerability of babies and to call for better and earlier support for new parents in the Isle of Man. Figures published today show that over 198,000 babies in the UK (one in four) (168,000 in England) are at high risk because they are born into homes with domestic violence, mental health problems, or drink and drug dependency. NSPCC Regional Head of Services for Children and Families in the Isle of Man, Bernadette Oxley, said: “It is a major concern that the NSPCC’s findings show the most vulnerable and helpless members of our society are often at risk because of a lack of support. All Babies Count is about making sure every baby gets the care they need, when they need it most. If the national figures were replicated here it could mean that there are 22,000 babies at increased risk of harm in the North West." Babies are eight times more likely to be killed than any other age group in childhood. And factors such as domestic violence, mental health problems, and drink and drug dependency among parents are known to be important risk factors for abuse and neglect. Two thirds of serious case reviews for infant fatalities or serious cases of abuse involve one or more of these problems. And over half the contacts to the NSPCC Helpline involve concerns about children in families with these issues. Whilst of course not all families with these issues neglect or harm their babies these types of family factors are important markers of risk. The NSPCC’s report shows that in the UK (note: there is some overlap in the figures below): • 144,000 babies under one are living with a parent who has mental health problems. • 109,000 babies have a parent with drug or alcohol problems. • 39,000 babies are living in a home where there is domestic violence. Support for babies living in homes with these problems needs to be early and effective. The impact of early trauma, abuse or neglect is particularly acute in the first year of life and is linked to negative outcomes such as behavioural problems in childhood; antisocial behaviour in adolescence; and even physical and mental health problems, including heart disease, in adulthood. The NSPCC is calling on the Government to ensure vital services in England (there are separate calls for the devolved administrations) are there when families need them. The call to action includes: • Ensuring that there are sufficient resources in place to fund services for families, recognising that cutting services that support families during pregnancy and infancy is a false economy. Investment in early intervention will prevent problems from occurring and therefore save the taxpayer money in the long term. • Giving commissioners at a local level - in health services and local authorities - the powers and responsibility to ensure the right services are in place to protect vulnerable babies and prevent abuse at the earliest opportunity. • Reviewing the early intervention services available for families every two years, and use this to deliver a clear action plan to address gaps. Bernadette Oxley, added: “Evidence from early intervention programmes shows that intervening early can remove the future risk of abuse or neglect. And it also makes sound economic sense. Investing in preventing harm is a more effective way of spending money than trying to pick up the pieces of children’s broken lives in the years after abuse has happened. “We can’t keep babies safe on our own. This is why we’re calling on everyone – the public, professionals and the Government - to ensure that all babies count. People in the Isle of Man can get behind the campaign and show their support by signing up through the NSPCC website, liking us on facebook and following us on Twitter. We also urge anyone who has concerns about a child to call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.” Over the next six months the NSPCC in the North West will be introducing a range of new services to find even more effective ways to protect babies and support parents throughout the North West. ENDS