The Child Brain Injury Trust has issued the following statement to launch Action for Brain Injury Week 2017. 

When is the accident book not enough?

Younger children are at particular risk of sustaining a brain injury as a result of an accident. In a recent study of 5700 children aged 0-15 years old admitted to hospital as a result of head injury, children under 5 accounted for 54% of admissions (1). Most of these incidents took place at home, but a further 16% occurred in daycare or nursery.

It will come as no surprise that slips, trips and falls are a major cause of brain injury in younger children. Would staff in your nursery know what to do, and when to seek help, if a child in their care was injured?

Lisa Turan, CEO of the Child Brain Injury Trust explains “Taking care of a baby or toddler can be a challenge at the best of times. They are very curious about the world around them, and strive for independence. This adventurous nature means they can get themselves into risky, and potentially dangerous situations. This can happen just as easily in nursery as it can at home. Across the UK our staff meet families whose lives have been impacted by accidents, many of which could have been avoided.”

A recent poll of nursery managers by the Child Brain Injury Trust, showed that 80% felt there was a general lack of awareness of brain injury within child care settings. Many managers reported that their staff had never received any training on brain injury in children. “There is a real need to provide training to staff working in this sector, and it’s a need we plan to address. We do a lot of work in schools to ensure the best outcome for children and this year we’re extending our services to day care providers and nurseries” continues Lisa.

2017 Teddy ToddleThis May during Action for Brain Injury Week, the Child Brain Injury Trust is launching their new Early Years Campaign. This UK-wide initiative makes use of the latest technology in e-learning so nursery staff can take part in training at a time and place that suits them. There will also be the opportunity to book a limited number of group sessions with Child Brain Injury Trust staff. Of course little ones can get involved too with the Teddy Toddle on May 11th. For more information please visit our campaign page. Or email us to request an information pack.  You can also follow the campaign on twitter #teddytoddle17.

(1) Trefan L, Houston R, Pearson G, et al Epidemiology of children with head injury: a national overview. Archives of Disease in Childhood 2016;101:527-532

NOTES

  • The Child Brain Injury Trust was established by a group of health professionals in 1991 to research and provide information regarding the effects of ‘traumatic’ injury on a child’s developing brain.
  • Parents of children with acquired brain injury were keen to become actively involved with the charity and over time the emphasis on the work changed.
  • Today the Child Brain Injury Trust is the leading voluntary sector organisation (registered charity and company limited by guarantee) providing non-medical services to families affected by childhood acquired brain injury across the UK.
  • We operate in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and have a dedicated team of professional staff and volunteers who give their expertise, commitment and enthusiasm every day.
  • Families continue to be involved in the development of the charity and we continue to be amazed and enlightened by their energy and uniqueness.
  • For further media enquiries, please contact our head office on 01869 341075 and ask for Rachel Parsons.