Why language matters: the importance of including babies in the language of safeguarding

When we talk about ‘children and young people,’ we do so because we acknowledge that being a teenager is a unique life phase, distinct from other stages of childhood. But what about the early years? Babies’ experiences and support needs also differ significantly from those of other children, yet we rarely use the phrase ‘babies, children and young people.’

Focusing on ‘children and young people’ can lead us to overlook babies in safeguarding policy and practice. This oversight is sometimes described as the ‘baby blind spot’.¹ By using the phrase ‘babies, children and young people’ in policies, procedures, legislation and guidance, we can help to draw attention to the different experiences, challenges and support needs that occur in the early years.

For the purpose of this blog, we are using ‘babies’ to refer to children under the age of two.²

The importance of acknowledging the early years

The early years are a unique life phase that needs unique practice due to the vulnerability of babies, their dependency on their caregivers and the importance of the development that happens at this age.³

> Learn more about protecting babies in our Learning from case reviews briefing

Working with babies is different from working with older children. Even if they are mobile, babies can’t move around or verbally communicate their needs or experiences in the same ways that many older children can. Professionals need to be aware of the additional vulnerabilities that impact this age group. They should be able to identify babies’ needs and experiences, such as by thoughtfully observing the cues babies give to understand what they’re trying to communicate.⁴ If professionals don’t understand how to identify the needs of babies, this can mean that babies’ actions, experiences and ways of communicating are dismissed as ‘just behaviours’.⁵

> Read more about safeguarding and child protection in the early years

When we talk about ‘children and young people’ but don’t include ‘babies’, we risk overlooking the early years as a unique stage of childhood that requires specialist practice, just like the teenage years.

The impact of the ‘baby blind-spot’

Although some governments and organisations have started to change the language they use, babies are still often absent in the language of child protection legislation, frameworks and guidance.

When guidance and frameworks don’t reflect the specific support needs and experiences of babies, this risks deprioritising babies’ needs at practice level. For example, it may mean that professional attention is drawn to the signs of abuse and neglect in children and young people and not to the more specific indicators of abuse and neglect in babies.

This lack of inclusion can also impact service provision.⁶ Services might prioritise support for older children, who are experiencing problems that professionals have a better understanding or awareness of.⁷ When local authorities don’t prioritise services for the early years, families at risk are more likely to become less visible to professionals.⁸

What can professionals do to keep babies in mind?

We can start by including ‘babies’ when we talk about ‘children and young people’. There will be instances where including ‘babies’ won’t be relevant, such as when discussing types of abuse that only impact older children, such as county lines exploitation. But where relevant and appropriate, including reference to ‘babies’ in policies, procedures, legislation and guidance will draw attention to the challenges and vulnerabilities affecting children in the early years, helping to prevent the ‘baby blind-spot.’

A change in language also needs to be accompanied by a change in practice. Sometimes even if babies are included in the language services use, such as services being offered as ‘0-18’, the service isn’t always set up to support them effectively.⁹

It's important that services and professionals working with expectant parents, babies and families are confident about how they prevent, recognise and respond to child protection concerns.

> Find out more about recognising the signs and indicators of abuse and neglect in the early years