As reported by the National Health Executive, most UK families who could benefit from specialist parent infant services are missing out, a report from the Centre for Mental Health has found. These services, which support parents in forming strong early bonds with their babies, are currently available to only around 4% of families in need
Access is especially limited in rural and coastal regions, as well as disadvantaged urban areas. Families living in poverty, those from racialised communities, and parents experiencing mental health difficulties are among the groups least likely to receive support.
While estimates suggest that 40–45% of UK babies experience some form of insecure attachment, just 51 parent infant teams operate nationwide, supporting between 4,400 and 6,500 families annually.
The Centre for Mental Health is calling for a national programme to expand specialist parent infant support, underpinned by multi-year funding, statutory guidance, and strong leadership to ensure these services reach the families that need them most.
According to financial modelling, providing specialist support to more families could save over £1.15 billion a year, with lifetime gains of more than £40,000 per child. The Parent Infant Foundation estimates that extending services to reach 28,800 families each year would generate savings across health, social care, education, and criminal justice sectors.
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