Report reveals ‘hidden harms’ of spring lockdown on babies

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:

• Almost all (98 percent) of the survey respondents said babies their organisation works with had been impacted by parental anxiety, stress or depression, which was affecting bonding and responsive care. 
• 78 percent of respondents were clear that the Government in their nation had not done enough for the under-2s, creating this ‘baby blind-spot’.
• The majority (80 percent) said that some babies they work with had experienced increased exposure to domestic conflict, child abuse or neglect, with 29 percent saying many babies they work with had been impacted. 

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.

It also highlights how some organisations and systems reacted and adapted positively to the pandemic, with many professionals going the ‘extra mile’ and lots making significant strides in areas such as use of technology and partnership work.

Baby-positive local response

The report introduces the concept of ‘baby-positive’ local responses – a set of actions and activities which were generally associated with local systems that understand and responded effectively to babies’ needs.

Sally Hogg, head of policy and campaigning at the Parent-Infant Foundation and co-ordinator of the First 1001 Days Movement said, ‘There is a strong moral, social and economic case for ensuring local services and systems work effectively to support babies and their families during the formative 1001 days stage, and with the onset of a global pandemic this has become even more crucial.’

She added, ‘We launch this report during another national lockdown and are calling on local and national decision makers to take seriously the risks to babies, and the risks to the professionals and services that support them.’

The report, written by Jodie Reed and Natalie Parish of Isos Partnership, will officially be launched this afternoon at the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Meeting for Conception to Age Two. Among the attendees is MP Andrea Leadsom, who is due to launch the findings of the Early Years Healthy Development Review this month.

Referring to Ms Leadsom’s Review, Ms Hogg said, ‘We hope it will contain clear recommendations that the UK Government adopt in order to create joined-up local support for babies and their families. Later this year, the Chancellor will set out a three-year spending plan. These are important opportunities to improve and invest in systems that support the first 1001 days. They must be grasped. Now, more than ever, babies cannot wait.’

Responding to the report, Donna Molloy, director of policy, Early Intervention Foundation, said, ‘This troubling report, along with calls from many for a wide-ranging commission to examine the pandemic’s devastating impact on children, show just how difficult the current situation is for children and families. It’s clear that unfortunately much of the impact of the pandemic is being borne by the most vulnerable in our society, including babies.

‘This report shows that we need to be proactive in helping children of all ages. To not do so is irresponsible, wasteful, expensive and does not help with the Government’s agenda of levelling-up. That’s because late intervention, often where children and families have not been helped with difficulties at the earliest opportunities possible, already costs the economy over £17bn a year. We agree that the three-year Spending Review is a chance for change that cannot be missed, it’s a unique chance to put children at the heart of the recovery from the pandemic.’

Working for babies: Lockdown lessons from local systems, highlights the importance of factors which have been known for a long time to be important in supporting 0-2s: clear and committed leadership; mature and strong local partnerships; and professionals who are connected to each other and to their communities and empowered to meet families’ needs. 

The First 1001 Days Movement is now calling for Governments across the UK to focus on how they can develop these important factors, and to consider ensuring all babies live in a ‘baby-positive’ local system.

The full report, Working for babies: Lockdown lessons from local systems, can be found here.