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Multi- Agency Neglect Deep Dive 18/3/26: Neglect Affecting Babies and Very Young Children

Course Overview

Neglect Affecting Babies and Very Young Children is a focused 2-hour online training course designed for professionals working with infants, toddlers, and families. Delivered live via Microsoft Teams, the session examines the heightened vulnerability of babies and very young children, common patterns of neglect in early childhood, and how practitioners can apply national learning, including key messages from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (CSPRP), within statutory guidance and local practice in Cornwall.

Course Description

Babies and very young children are among the most vulnerable groups for neglect, relying entirely on caregivers to meet their physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Any level of neglect at this age can have profound and lasting harm. This interactive online session supports professionals to understand the distinct presentations of neglect in early childhood and translates national learning into effective, local safeguarding practice.

The course draws on national learning from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (CSPRP)—the independent national panel that commissions reviews of serious child safeguarding cases in England and works with the Department for Education (DfE) to improve practice and outcomes across the system. Practitioners will explore how serious incident reviews and thematic briefings shape understanding of risk, cumulative harm, missed opportunities, and systemic challenges in responding to neglect affecting the very young.

Participants will examine indicators such as failure to thrive, inconsistent caregiving, unsafe sleep environments, missed health appointments, and limited nurturing interaction. The session will emphasise early identification, the importance of robust pre-birth and infant assessments, and collaborative multi-agency responses. All content is aligned with statutory guidance and local safeguarding arrangements.

This session is suitable for professionals across health, early years, education, social care, early help, and the voluntary and community sector working with babies, toddlers, and families in Cornwall.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define neglect in the context of babies and very young children and understand why this age group is at highest risk.
2. Identify early indicators and risk factors, drawing on national learning from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel to inform local practice.
3. Understand the developmental impact of early neglect, including attachment disruption and implications for long-term health and wellbeing.
4. Apply professional curiosity and critical analysis to pre-birth and early childhood assessments to ensure risk is neither minimised nor normalised.

Cancellation Charge

Please note that with effect from 1^st November we will be introducing a cancellation charge of £75. This will apply to cancellations that take place 48hours or less before the start of the course or if you book a place but do not attend. If you are unable to use your place you can move to an alternative date or arrange for someone else to attend in your place but please email us at OSCPtraining@cornwall.gov.uk

to let us know.

Dates