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Report reveals ‘hidden harms’ of spring lockdown on babies

Emerging evidence of the ‘harm’ that lockdown has had on babies is detailed in a new report launched today.

Working for babies: Lockdown lessons from local systems, commissioned by the First 1001 Days Movement, reviews the response to the Covid-19 pandemic for babies by local health and social care systems.

It highlights how there are often ‘baby blind-spots’ where babies’ needs are overlooked in policy, planning and funding.

The report states that the ‘hidden harms’ of the spring lockdown on 0-2s were broad and significant, and experienced unevenly depending on family circumstances and background.

However, a survey of 235 0-2s service providers revealed that the effects were wide-reaching:

Services supporting families in the first 1001 days were significantly depleted during the national spring lockdown, with almost one fifth (18 percent) ceasing to provide any support at all and the majority scaling back their offer, the report reveals.

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