Abstract
The number of babies removed from mothers at birth in the United Kingdom (UK) is on the increase (Powell 2007). This is a worrying fact, especially in light of the latest research in neuroscience and imaging which suggests that childhood neglect and trauma can significantly affect a baby’s brain development (Allen 2011). There is also a growing body of evidence to show that the environment plays a major role in shaping the behavioural, social and cognitive development of an infant’s brain (Underdown & Barlow 2012), and that the relationship infants have with their primary caregiver will have an impact upon their ability to develop and sustain trusting attachments (Schore 2003). Without positive and nurturing attachments to caregivers part of a baby’s brain will fail to develop, which for some babies will be permanent (Allen 2011).