Babies Under One Account for Third of Serious Safeguarding Incidents

New data reveals that babies under one year old continue to face the highest risk of serious harm, representing one third of all serious safeguarding incidents recorded between 2024 and 2025. This stark statistic reinforces the unique vulnerability of infants who depend entirely on adults for protection and care, and highlights the vital importance of early identification of risks within the home environment. The findings carry significant implications for local safeguarding partnerships, health visitors, and early years services. With babies wholly reliant on their carers, the quality of maternal mental health support, parental substance misuse services, and domestic abuse interventions becomes paramount. The data suggests that current early help and universal services must remain sharply focused on families with newborns, ensuring that health visitors and midwives are equipped to spot warning signs before they escalate into crises. For Lead Members, this report serves as a reminder that safeguarding is not only about responding to incidents but preventing them through investment in the earliest years. Strengthening the interface between maternity services, health visiting, and children's social care—whilst addressing the poverty and housing pressures that often compound risks—remains essential to reducing these preventable tragedies.