20 years ago the UK signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In that time, some great advances have been made. However, many children still don’t receive the support and protection they need. The NSPCC has launched its All babies count campaign because babies are particularly vulnerable. Here we highlight the key developments in policy and services for babies in the last 20 years which have led to improvements in their outcomes and better protection of their rights.

1. 20 years of babies’ rights
20 years ago the UK signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In
that time, some great advances have been made. However, many children still don’t
receive the support and protection they need. The NSPCC has launched its All babies
count campaign because babies are particularly vulnerable. Here we highlight the key
developments in policy and services for babies in the last 20 years which have led
to improvements in their outcomes and better protection of their rights.
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2. 1991
© UNICEF/HQ89-0089/Mera
UK government ratifies the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
Britain signs up to the first worldwide treaty of human rights for children. The Convention sets out, among others, the child’s right to freedom
of expression, protection from all forms of abuse, privacy and the right to a family life. Just two countries have failed to ratify the Convention:
Somalia and the US.
In an office at UNHQ, (left-right) UNICEF Executive Director James Grant, boy scout Brian, Under-Secretary-General Jan Martensen, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn and boy
scout Michael make a collective telephone call to children at UN offices in Geneva, Switzerland, to announce the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that day.
On receiving the news, the children in Geneva held a torch-lit procession through the city streets.

3. 1994
With kind permission of University of Greenwich.
UNICEF baby-friendly initiative launched in the UK
‘Baby-friendly’ hospitals and healthcare services must meet standards that cover the support, encouragement and information
given to new mums about breast feeding. A survey in 2000 showed that ‘baby-friendly’ hospitals had increased breast-feeding rates
by 10 per cent in four years.

4. 1998
A Baby Signing Lesson at Dovers Green Children’s Centre in Surrey.
Sure Start launches in England
Initially developed in areas of high deprivation, Sure Start children’s centres combine childcare, early education,
health and other children’s services with the aim of improving outcomes for children and families. In 2010, there
were 3,600 centres throughout England, although numbers have recently fallen due to cuts in funding.

5. 2001
Peter Clark who was Children’s Commissioner in Wales from 2001 until his death
in 2007. Photograph courtesy of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Wales appoints the UK’s first Children’s Commissioner
The Commissioner is responsible for protecting children’s rights, raising awareness of children’s rights and ensuring children’s voices
are heard. In 2011, Wales continued to lead on children’s rights: becoming the first UK country to fully incorporate the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child into domestic law.

6. 2003
Fathers receive two weeks’ paid paternity leave
This was the first time fathers had legally been entitled to paid leave to support their partners and bond with their babies. In 2011, the
government went further, passing a law allowing fathers to take up to 26 weeks’ leave to care for their child once the mother returned to work.

7. 2004
The Children’s Act passed in England and Wales
This landmark legislation ushered in the Every Child Matters agenda, with the sole purpose of improving outcomes for all children.
Directors of children services were established in each local authority, the role of Children’s Commissioner was created in England
and Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards were introduced.

8. www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=
2005
Image by koratmember .
Breastfeeding Act passed in Scotland
This ruling makes it an offence to prevent, or stop, a mother from breastfeeding their child in public.

9. 2007
Baby Peter Connelly dies
A stark reminder of the vulnerability of babies and the role we all play in protecting them. Peter’s mother, her boyfriend and his brother were
all convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. But children’s services and health professionals were also held to account – they had
repeated contact with Peter but failed to spot the warning signs.

10. 2009
With kind permission of NHS Northamptonshire
Healthy Child Programme launched in England
The Healthy Child Programme sets out the health services and support that children and their families should receive from birth.
This includes screening, immunisations, reviews of a child’s development and support around a child’s wellbeing. The programme
places significant emphasis on providing support for parents and the early identification of need.

11. 2011
The NSPCC launches the All babies count campaign
20 years after the UK ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, babies remain at risk. On average, one baby is killed every two
weeks in the UK. Many more are at risk of abuse and neglect. The NSPCC believes all babies count and is calling on the government to do
more for those who need it most. Back our campaign at www.nspcc.org.uk/allbabiescount