Introducing the FSID: Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths operates throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland as the UK's leading baby charity aiming to prevent unexpected deaths in infancy and promote infant health. Some of the things the FSID does to fulfil these aims are funding research, supporting families whose babies have died suddenly and unexpectedly, disseminating specialist information and working with professionals to improve investigations when a baby dies.

The services offered by FSID include:

• A Helpline for parents, carers and health professionals and bereaved families
• A wide range of publications and resources on reducing the risk of cot death and safe baby care
• A network of trained befrienders to support bereaved families
• A busy programme of training, events and Family Days Out throughout the UK
• The Care of Next Infant (CONI) Scheme, with the NHS, to support bereaved families when they have subsequent babies.

Advice for professionals

 

The FSID provides a number of services for professionals to assist work in supporting families when a baby dies and in promoting safe baby care advice to parents.

 

Since 2000 the FSID has been running a campaign for improved responses when a baby dies to ensure a thorough investigation and that the needs of the family are met in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

 

The FSID appreciates that working closely with a family who has recently suffered the sudden death of a baby can be stressful and difficult for professionals too. The FSID’s helpline for professionals is designed to provide professionals with resources to help in dealing with these sensitive situations.

 

The FSID has a wealth of information on its website about safe sleeping which The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) would urge all new parents to see. In the tragic event of a child death the FSID can provide advice and help at this, the worst of times.

 

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board strongly supports the work of the FSID and intends to strengthen links between the two organisations in the coming months.

 

(source: http://fsid.org.uk/)