A staff training programme developed as part of a project funded by the ARC North East and North Cumbria is helping to prevent unexpected infant deaths.
The ‘Eyes on the Baby’ training and implementation programme was developed in response to Government recommendations which proposed taking a multi-agency approach to Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI) prevention – particularly when working with families who may be at higher risk of SUDI because of their circumstances.
‘Multi-agency’ means involving a wide range of staff whose work brings them into contact with vulnerable families with babies – including professionals such as housing officers, social workers, health visitors, police and paramedics.
The project has been led by Professor Helen Ball from Durham University’s Infancy and Sleep Centre, and supported by a wide range of partners.
Almost 1,300 people have been trained so far across the North East.
