NewsScotland: infant voice guidelines to help staff understand and respect infant communication

Scotland: infant voice guidelines to help staff understand and respect infant communication

The Scottish Government has produced new best practice guidance to account for infants’ views and rights during all encounters with health professionals.

Voice of the Infant states that babies and very young children have ways to communicate from birth. The guidance explains how professionals working with them (including CPs) can notice and facilitate an infant’s feelings, ideas and preferences through gaze, body language and vocalisations.

In so doing, professionals can allow infants to be active participants in community settings, nurseries, education, health and social services. This includes supporting infants to help inform the care and decisions that affect them.

As part of the guidance, the Infant Pledge states clearly what babies and very young children should expect from those around them. The guidance can also support professionals to help parents and caregivers recognise and understand their infant’s communication.

Image credit | Unsplash

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