Huge rise in babies harmed or killed during ‘hidden dangers’ of lockdown

There was a disturbing 20 per cent rise in babies being killed or harmed in the months after the first coronavirus lockdown was imposed by the government, the chief inspector of Ofsted has revealed.

Amanda Spielman has warned that vulnerable infants may be at risk during England’s second lockdown amid increased tension in families.

She said a “toxic mix” of poverty, isolation and mental illness were behind the alarming rise in incidents between April and October – citing the difficulty social workers had making home visits because of curbs on movement.

Between April and October this year, Ofsted saw more than 300 serious incident notifications about children, and nearly two in five were about babies – over a fifth more than in the same period of last year.

Among the 64 babies who were deliberately harmed in England during the period, eight died as a result of their injuries.

Ms Spielman called on local authority professionals to be “alive to this hidden danger” and make sure all vulnerable young children are protected.

Speaking at the National Children and Adults Services Conference on Friday, Ms Spielman said: “Of course, babies can’t tell an adult if there’s a problem. Often, abuse is only uncovered when there’s a critical injury, or it’s too late.  

“Another young life damaged, and in the worst cases, lost, before it’s really had chance to begin ... It doesn’t bear thinking about. But we must all be alive to this hidden danger.”

Councils have to report any serious incidents where a child dies or is harmed through abuse or neglect to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. These warnings are then shared with Ofsted and the government.

As well as babies being intentionally harmed, Ofsted has seen a high number of unexpected infant deaths. This includes preventable tragedies such as babies not being put down to sleep safely.

Ms Spielman said: “Tighter restrictions have brought increased tensions for many, especially in the most troubled families. Financial hardship, loss of employment, isolation, and close family proximity have put extra pressure on families that were already struggling.

“Poverty, inadequate housing, substance misuse and poor mental health all add to this toxic mix. You’ll be well aware of the increase in domestic violence incidents over the summer – just one symptom of the Covid pressure cooker.”

Ms Spielman called on midwives, health visitors, GPs and other health workers who have good relationships with families to work together to protect children. “Continuing restrictions may be hampering face-to-face visits. But while these children are out of sight, they should never be out of mind.”

Councillor Judith Blake, chair of the Local Government Association’s children and young people board, said councils had “worked tirelessly” in recent months to keep children safe through online contact and high-priority home visits.

“The pandemic has led to an increasing number of families facing exceptionally difficult circumstances,” she said. “It is absolutely critical that professionals are able to keep engaging with families throughout any restrictions, whether local or national.”

Children’s minister Vicky Ford said: “We have asked children’s social services across the country to prioritise support for families with new babies and especially those families who had already faced difficulties before Covid. We have taken urgent action to help councils and frontline professionals support infants.”