Keeping the Promise to Infants

Pregnancy and the first few years of life is a period of uniquely rapid growth, when babies’ brains, their sense of self, their understanding of relationships and of the world, are shaped by their experiences and environments. Early adversity can be devastating and casts a very long shadow[1]. However, the early years also offer a unique period of opportunity. A baby’s recovery from harm can be rapid and remarkable if secure, loving, consistent, relationships are established. The evidence is clear and overwhelming; getting it right in the early years will lead to less public health expenditure, less crime and more economic competitiveness. Most importantly, it will lead to emotionally healthy babies, children, families, communities, and society.

The next phase of Promise implementation offers a unique opportunity to set out a vision that places early child development at the top of economic and political agendas. While the early years must be the priority, there remain pressing demands for older children and their families. More creativity is required to connect and coordinate support for marginalised families. This event provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to think together about how we ‘reimagine’ public services to enable the deployment of valuable resources more equitably so that local systems can identify concern early and intervene to prevent problems escalating.

Join us in Glasgow to hear about some of the work we are doing, with partners, to better uphold the rights of babies, and their families, who are involved in the ‘care’ system in Scotland.

You will hear from:

• ‘A babies journey through care – opportunities for recovery’, Julia Donaldson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Glasgow Infant and Family Team
• ‘Understanding Infants’ experience at Hearing’, Alison Wales and Niamh Mussen, NSPCC Scotland
• ‘Keeping the Promise to Infants’ research, Rachel Love, NSPCC Scotland
• ‘Early Pregnancy support in Govan’, Prajapa Seneviratne and Thea Shahrokh, Together for Childhood Govan
• ‘Working across boundaries to uphold the rights of babies and parents’, Sharon Graham, Research Assistant and Lived-experience Lead, University of Glasgow

[1] The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study — Connected for Life

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

thestudio..., 67 Hope Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom