Staffordshire as a place to live

Contents

Starting well in Staffordshire

Key issues: Infant Mortality, Early Years Education

Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. Good parenting and high-quality early learning provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities as they grow up. (Source: Early Years Foundation Service (EYFS), 2017).

Key headlines:

  • Infant mortality rates have reduced in last 2 years, and now closer to national. Despite improvements, Staffordshire still has the highest rate amongst similar authorities.
  • Smoking in pregnancy and low breastfeeding levels are key infant mortality risk factors.
  • Strong early years educational performance (no 2020 comparator), outperforming national and similar authorities.
  • Rising number eligible for Free School Meals suggesting more children living in poorer households, with over 4,800 pupils becoming eligible since the first COVID-19 lockdown.
  • Qualitative insights report a lasting impact on Staffordshire’s children as a result of the pandemic; particularly missed development and learning of under 5s.

Data update

Parental and infant health
  • Rates of infant mortality are the highest among similar authorities, however closer to England following a recent fall in numbers.
  • On average there are 40 deaths a year (4.8 per 1,000 births) in the first year of life. 80% occurred in the first 28 days – again highest of similar authorities and higher than England.
  • Half of infant deaths come from the top two most deprived quintiles.
  • Only East Staffordshire (6.2 per 1,000 births) has rates worse than England and is 10th worst in the country.
Reducing infant mortality and risk factors
  • Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) review the deaths of all children to facilitate improvements - sleeping arrangements and smoking were identified as key modifiable factors.
  • Key risk factors in Staffordshire are: Smoking in pregnancy and low breastfeeding levels, with Staffordshire performing worse than national. Cannock Chase CCG performs worse for these factors when compared with national.
  • Positively, access to infant healthcare checks is high despite COVID-19. Local data confirms two thirds received an antenatal contact with a Health Visitor at 28 weeks. Also new birth visits increased to 83% (2020/21).