A pioneering project in Norfolk and Waveney to protect children from harm has been shortlisted in the national HSJ Awards 2024 for its innovative partnership approach.

The ‘Protecting Babies - All Babies Cry’ project was developed by Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Health Services in partnership with the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership and Norwich City Football Club and has been shortlisted for the reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people award.

The project focuses on the crucial first 1001 days of a baby’s life and how parents and caregivers can avoid causing unintentional harm. It emphasises that crying is a normal part of a baby’s communication and that while it can be challenging, there are effective strategies that can help to manage it. The initiative provides clear, accessible guidance on how to safely handle a crying baby, alongside practical advice for families and communities to safeguard children.

The project highlights the strength of collaboration in producing meaningful, life-saving content, with players from Norwich City Football Club playing an important role by sharing their own stories about parenthood and the steps parents can take when things get difficult. This supported an important part of the project, showing the crucial role fathers have in keeping babies safe. The initiative encourages both parents to seek assistance when necessary, ensuring they can offer the best care for their child and safeguard them from harm.

Lucy Parsons, Head of Safeguarding, and Steph Hambrook, Clinical Lead for Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Health Services, said: “We are immensely proud to be shortlisted for the reducing inequalities and improving outcomes for children and young people award at the HSJ Awards 2024. Our collaboration is a great example of how powerful partnerships can be, allowing us to create meaningful content that shares important messages. This success wouldn't have been possible without the invaluable collaboration from partners across the Norfolk safeguarding system to bring these important messages to life.

“This recognition is a powerful testament to the dedication and hard work of our team, especially in a year when the competition was so tough and there was an unprecedented number of outstanding entries from other deserving trusts and individuals.

“Regardless of the outcome on the night, we already feel like winners for having reached this stage. We are incredibly proud to share our success with colleagues from across the sector and to showcase the impactful work and lessons we’ve gained through this essential project.”

More than 1,350 entries were received for this year’s HSJ Awards. The high volume and exceptional quality of applications showcases the impressive levels of innovation and care continually being developed within the UK’s healthcare networks.

Alastair McLellan, HSJ editor, said: “It always gives me great pleasure to congratulate our finalists at this stage of the judging process and this year is no exception as we acknowledge Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People’s Services for being shortlisted in the category of the Reducing Inequalities and Improving Outcomes for Children and Young People Award.

“However, it’s always important to remember that the HSJ Awards are not just a celebration of success stories but also a platform to shape the future of the NHS.

“We can’t wait to welcome our finalists to the awards ceremony in November and to recognise and applaud such impressive achievements across the sector.”

The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21 November 2024.

[END]

For further information contact Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust’s Communications Team on 0300 555 6655 or email ccs.communications@nhs.net

For more information/media enquiries relating to the 2024 HSJ awards, please contact Rebecca Bright on becky.bright@hsj.co.uk or call: 020 7608 9056.

Notes for editors

Norfolk and Waveney Children and Young People's Health Services provide lots of different types of health support and services for children, young people and their families. These include:

• The Norfolk Healthy Child Programme
• Norfolk and Waveney Children's Speech and Language Therapy Service
• Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Support Teams (MHST)
• Norfolk and Waveney Access to Mental Health services (0-25)

Families and professionals can get in touch about any children or young people aged 0-19 (or aged up to 24 for those with an additional need or disability) by calling Just One Number: 0300 300 0123 or visit Just One Norfolk for online advice and support: www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk

Follow us on Twitter: @norfolkcyp

Follow us on Instagram: @norfolkcyp

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/NorfolkCYP/

About the HSJ Awards

The most coveted accolade in UK healthcare, the HSJ Awards is the largest annual benchmarking and recognition programme for the health sector. Over the last 40 years, the awards have been celebrating healthcare excellence through huge political, technological and financial challenges within the sector. Through a rigorous, fair and transparent judging process, the awards produce a roll call of the best organisations, teams and people in the NHS and the wider health sector.

The full list of nominees for the 2024 HSJ Awards can be found at https://awards.hsj.co.uk/