All babies count: prevention and protection for vulnerable babies
A review of the evidence
November 2011
All babies count is an NSPCC report looking at the evidence for making children aged under one year a priority in child protection and the importance of early intervention.
Overview
The NSPCC has produced a report highlighting the importance of early intervention to help children get the best possible start in life.
The report sets out the evidence by drawing on research, consultation and original analysis to examine the disproportionate vulnerability of babies; the causes and consequences of infant abuse and neglect; and effective and promising interventions during pregnancy and the baby’s first year.
The report includes new analysis into the number of babies under one year who are affected by parental substance misuse, mental illness and domestic abuse which are all important risk factors for abuse and neglect.
Findings include:
- 19,500 babies under one year old are living with a parent who has used Class A drugs in the last year
- 39,000 babies under one year live in households affected by domestic abuse in the last year
- 93,500 babies under one year live with a parent who is a problem drinker
- 144,000 babies under one year live with a parent who has a common mental health problem.
The report also introduces four new programmes relating to pregnancy and babies that the NSPCC, with partners, will be delivering and testing. Find out more about
NSPCC services to protect children under one.
Please cite as: Cuthbert, Chris, Rayns, Gwynne and Stanley, Kate (2011) All babies count: prevention and protection for vulnerable babies. London: NSPCC.
Also available:
Contact the NSPCC Information Service if you have questions about the NSPCC, children under one or any child protection topic
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Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.