Pre-birth assessment practice guidance revised
As a partnership, it is essential that we establish robust procedures to identify children most at risk and manage their protection effectively, including before children are born.
Nearly half of all Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews involve babies under one year old, who are very vulnerable and depend entirely on their parents or carers. Early referrals and timely interventions are crucial, giving parents the chance to make necessary changes.
We have recently revised our local ‘Pre-birth assessment practice guidance’ in response to key learning from a recent review, emphasising the importance of thorough pre and post birth assessment, including ongoing risk assessment and safety planning after the birth. The guidance support professionals to identify risks and create effective plans with parents to protect unborn children.