Parent-Infant Foundation joins forces with key charities to launch a ‘Manifesto for babies in Scotland’
03 February 2026
The Parent-Infant Foundation and a coalition of six other charities working to support the rights and wellbeing of babies, have today launched a ‘Manifesto for babies in Scotland’, with policy recommendations for the next Scottish government.
Convened and led by the Parent-Infant Foundation, the manifesto has been created in partnership with Save the Children Scotland, NSPCC Scotland, Home-Start UK, Mental Health Foundation, Parenting Across Scotland and Starcatchers.
Babies depend on sensitive, responsive care to grow and develop healthily. But many do not get the nurturing care they need. Not everyone bonds easily with their baby. Parents can be overwhelmed by trauma from their own childhood. Some are struggling with mental or physical health difficulties.
We have estimated that more than 9,000 babies in Scotland are living in fear and distress, and we know more support is needed for families. Over 14% of babies in Scotland have at least one developmental concern recorded at their 13-15 month health visitor check.[1]
The ‘Manifesto for babies in Scotland’ sets out five headline recommendations to address the challenges babies face, noting inequality is already visible in toddlers’ development.[2]
With the coming election in May, we are urging all parties to consider its recommendations and whether they can get behind these changes. The manifesto calls for a cross-government strategy, because the current policy landscape in Scotland is fragmented, with a range of early years policies spread across different government directorates.
It also recommends investing in integrated Whole Family Support and in infant mental health services, upskilling the workforce around babies’ rights and keeping the Promise to babies.
Aside from the manifesto, the charities are also urging candidates standing in May’s Holyrood elections to pledge to ‘Speak up for babies in Scotland’ if they are elected. A pledge does not imply support for all the policy recommendations – it is a promise to consider babies’ needs and to speak up for them, if they are elected. We hope many candidates will join with us to speak up for babies in Scotland!
Keith Reed, Chief Executive of the Parent-Infant Foundation said:
“Supporting babies’ wellbeing, rights and participation in decision-making is both the right thing and the smart thing to do. A baby’s brain develops rapidly during pregnancy and through the first two years of life. What happens during this time not only affects them in the moment, it also lays the foundations for future health and happiness.
“Health visitors are reporting increasing numbers of babies with a developmental concern. These babies and families need urgent support. We hope all political parties in Scotland will place babies at the heart of their agenda.”
Eliza Waye, Chief Executive, Home-Start Edinburgh said:
“The Manifesto for Babies speaks to what we see every day at Home-Start: when parents are supported early, babies thrive. By standing up for babies’ rights, relationships and mental health, we are ensuring they have the best start in life now, and can reach their potential.”
Amy Woodhouse, Chief Executive, Parenting Across Scotland said:
“Parenting Across Scotland is delighted to support the Manifesto for Babies in Scotland. Our work on the Open Kindergarten project has shown just how transformative it can be when parents, carers and babies are welcomed into warm, non-stigmatising spaces where they feel supported, respected and connected.
“As we launch the manifesto, we are calling for that same commitment to nurturing, relationship centred support to be available to every family. Scotland has the opportunity to put babies at the heart of policy and practice, ensuring that no parent feels alone, and every child gets the strong, loving start they deserve.”
Clare Telfer, Head of Scotland, Save the Children Scotland said:
“Investing in the tiniest members of our society is how we sow the seeds of better childhoods today, and a brighter tomorrow for Scotland. With 1 in 3 families with a baby in Scotland living in poverty, now is the time for urgent and bold action to ensure babies can be happy, healthy and experience a childhood that allows them to thrive. We are delighted to support the Manifesto for Babies in Scotland which sets out how we can make sure to do Better for Babies.”
Jennifer Phillips, Co-Chief Executive Starcatchers said:
“Babies are born ready to communicate, connect and make sense of the world around them. As Scotland’s arts and early years organisation, we are proud to support this manifesto and to stand alongside partners in calling for babies to be valued, heard and supported from the very beginning of life. Creative and artistic experiences are central to how babies express themselves, build relationships and lay strong foundations for learning and wellbeing. It is time to recognise the power of the arts in giving babies the best possible start—and to answer the call to ‘Speak up for babies in Scotland’.”
Gill Meens, Participation and Lived Experience Manager, The Mental Health Foundation said:
“At the Mental Health Foundation we believe that every child in Scotland has the right to good mental health but for many that is not their everyday lived experience. We know that children’s formative circumstances and experiences can profoundly influence their mental health and so we are asking all candidates to ‘Speak up for Babies in Scotland’.”
Find out more and read the full ‘Manifesto for babies in Scotland’ here.
The campaign is also calling on Scottish parliamentary candidates to pledge to ‘Speak up for babies in Scotland’ if they are elected in May. They can make this pledge via the Manifesto for babies website here.
A pledge does not imply support for all the policy recommendations – it is a promise to consider babies’ needs and to speak up for them, if they are elected.
On the website constituents will also be able to get involved and ask their local candidate to support the campaign and speak up for babies in Scotland, or check who is already supporting it.
References:
[1] Child development statistics data from Public Health Scotland:
[2]Inequality is visible in toddlers’ development: 17% of all children in Scotland are identified as having a developmental concern at their 27–30-month health visitor check. This rises to 25% amongst babies living in low-income households.