00:00Figures show care proceedings involving babies in England have risen over two decades.
00:06Research by Lancaster and Oxford Universities shows a 64% increase, with one in 118 infants
00:14affected. Experts say cases involve serious harm, but others concern families with complex needs,
00:20where support might have prevented children entering care.
00:23More than half of urgent care hearings in England in 2024-2025 involve newborns. Guidance for
00:32family court judges is expected to reduce short-notice hearings that do not meet urgent
00:37criteria. The government says it is investing £2.4 billion in children's social care.
