Babies and infants are amongst the most vulnerable children we work with. They cannot tell us when they are frightened, unsafe, or when their needs are not being met - making skilled observation, professional curiosity and timely action particularly important.

This 90-minute introductory session will increase practitioners' understanding of safeguarding vulnerability during pregnancy and infancy and explore some of the factors that can increase the risk of harm.This is an introductory awareness session designed to strengthen practitioners' confidence in recognising vulnerability, remaining curious and keeping the baby at the centre of safeguarding practice.

• Explain why babies and unborn children require particular attention in safeguarding practice
• Recognise indicators of abuse, neglect and cumulative harm during pregnancy and infancy
• Describe the impact of domestic abuse and coercive control on the baby, parenting capacity, and family functioning
• Identify ways of understanding the baby’s lived experience and recognising their non-verbal ‘voice’
• Recognise how parental and family circumstances can affect a baby’s safety, care and development
• Apply professional curiosity and maintain a focus on the baby, avoiding an over-focus on adult needs and narratives
• Identify concerns at an early stage and understand the importance of pre-birth safeguarding
• Understand the importance of effective information sharing and multi-agency working in safeguarding babies
• Recognise the importance of acting on concerns promptly rather than waiting for harm to escalate

This session will be led by Caroline Porter.