Secretary of State for Education (): Victoria Marten's
death was tragic and the direct result of the actions of her
parents, who are now serving sentences for her negligent
manslaughter. Victoria's death prompted a wider national review
and in February 2026, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review
Panel published its national review, Protecting all vulnerable
babies better. This examined the safeguarding issues raised by
the death of Victoria and a further 41 serious cases of harm and
death involving babies.
At the time of publication, I committed to providing a full,
government response to the Panel's eight national recommendations
by summer 2026. Today, I am laying before the House, Protecting
all vulnerable babies better a government response which sets out
how government is strengthening the protection of babies where
there are safeguarding concerns, and responding to issues
identified by the Panel.
Babies are among the most vulnerable members of our society.
Reliant on their caregivers, fragile, unable to talk and often
unknown to many services. The Panel's review reinforced the
importance of earlier identification of risk, effective
information sharing, professional curiosity, and sustained
multi-agency engagement with families, particularly during
pregnancy and the first years of life. It also highlighted the
need for greater national consistency in safeguarding practice
and stronger support for families where risks are complex and
cumulative.
The government's response brings together action across adult and
children's social care, health, policing, justice, housing and
wider public services. It builds on the most significant reform
to children's social care in a generation through the Children's
Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 and delivers against this
government's commitment to keep families together and children
safe, to intervene earlier where children are at risk, and to
strengthen child protection so vulnerable children do not fall
through the cracks.
Since the publication of the Panel's review, the appalling death
of Preston Davey has been a further reminder that we can never be
complacent in our efforts to protect babies. An independent local
child safeguarding practice review is underway, and it would be
inappropriate to pre-empt its findings. We will consider the
findings carefully and incorporate any relevant lessons into the
delivery of this response and wider safeguarding reforms.
The response is structured around four objectives:
- Preventing babies dying by identifying and responding earlier
to risk;
- Reducing the number of babies entering care by preventing
repeat removals and strengthening family support;
- Building the evidence base on effective and promising
practice; and
- Facilitating consistency in national guidance on babies and
pre-birth support for pregnant women in safeguarding and child
protection.
The death of Victoria Marten remains a stark reminder of what is
at stake. This response reflects extensive government
collaboration and demonstrates our collective commitment to
learning from the Panel's review and turning that learning into
meaningful and lasting change. Delivery will be overseen through
ongoing cross-government arrangements, including the Keeping
Children Safe ministerial board, to ensure accountability and
sustained progress.
