Free training is now available to anyone in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who works with families with babies to help reduce the number of babies dying from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
The online ‘Safer Sleep’ training packages are provided by the Lullaby Trust charity and funded by Cornwall Council’s public health team and the Our Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP).
More than 600 people have already taken up the offer, including midwives, health visitors, early years practitioners, GPs, housing officers, social care professionals, and voluntary sector practitioners.
As part of the Lullaby Trust’s Safer Sleep Week (March 10-16), we are encouraging more people to sign up for the training.
Around 300 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly every year in the UK, but many of these deaths may have been prevented by following evidence-based, safer sleep advice. In Devon and Cornwall, since 2019, 24 babies have died where unsafe sleeping has been a factor.
Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, cabinet member for children and families at Cornwall Council, said:
“Although SIDS is now very rare, it is still devastating dozens of families every year. Following safer sleep advice can significantly reduce the chances of SIDS, which is why this training is so important. It is so encouraging to see how many colleagues across Cornwall have completed this important training so far.
“Promoting safer sleep advice is everyone’s business - by talking to families and supporting them to understand how to avoid the specific risks, we can help to keep our babies safe in Cornwall and reduce the number of babies dying.”
Dr Eunan O’Neill, interim director of public health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said:
“This training is for anyone working with families with babies in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and I urge as many people as possible to take up this offer
“The packages are incredibly intuitive and easy to follow, and could save babies’ lives. If you work with families with babies then I would encourage you to take part. We would particularly like to encourage more professionals who work in our mental health, drug and alcohol support services, emergency services, maintenance services and housing to sign up too.”
There are three pre-recorded training packages to choose from, depending on your professional role.
The training aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge and understanding of SIDS and the simple advice that can reduce the risk. This will enable supportive and empowering conversations about safer sleep with families across the county. You will also receive links and resources to further support your training.
To sign up, visit the OSCP website where you will need to complete a pre-training survey. A link and password to access the training will then be sent to you (this could take up to 5 working days). Free spaces are limited so sign-up as soon as possible. The free training is available until mid-July.
For further details contact the OSCP training team at OSCPtraining@cornwall.gov.uk
For more information about Safer Sleep for babies, go to Safer sleep - Cornwall Council and The Lullaby Trust website.
Press release issued on March 10, 2025.