First 1001 Days Members, NCT and the Breastfeeding Network, in collaboration with an alliance of supporting organisations and in consultation with Public Health England, have released a new guide to re-starting support services for expectant and new parents during Covid-19.
The guide provides a set of principles and considerations for organisations to work through so that they can decide when and how to restart their face-to-face support services safely and with confidence.
Covid-19 and the prolonged period of social restrictions have had a huge impact on the lives of pregnant women, their partners and families with new babies.
The Parent Infant Foundation say:
"As our work over the last year has highlighted, the pandemic has led to increased stress and adversity for many families, and a reduction - or absence - in vital formal and informal support. Some groups have been disproportionately affected, widening inequalities that already exist.
As restrictions ease, our sector has the commitment and capability to ensure community support thrives. Collaboration and shared learning will be more important than ever, and we are grateful to all of the individuals and organisations who have contributed to the principles set out in this guide."