WESTMINSTER — Members of Parliament urged the U.K. government to establish a legislative timeline for mandatory training and background checks in the infant sleep consulting sector. Labour MP Connor Rand led a parliamentary debate on the infant sleep consulting sector.

Currently, individuals in the U.K. can use the professional titles of maternity nurse or sleep consultant without formal training or regulatory oversight. During the debate, the death of infant Madison Bruce Smith in the Altrincham and Sale West constituency was cited as an example of the consequences of unregulated practice. Medical professionals stated that advice given by some self-described infant sleep consultants could increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Rand recommended mandatory enhanced DBS background checks for nannies, maternity nurses, infant sleep consultants, and childcare professionals working in private residences. Rand said, "Mandatory safeguarding and qualification standards should be introduced for everyone providing paid support to families." He also urged the government to outline investment plans for health visitor services to address gaps in postnatal support.

Liberal Democrat MP Tom Morrison said, "The government needs a proper regulatory framework to make sure individuals providing unverified sleep advice are held to account." The Lullaby Trust and Morrison sent a letter to the Health Secretary requesting urgent regulatory action to prevent infant endangerment from unverified sleep advice. The National Nanny Association and The Lullaby Trust support the implementation of mandatory minimum safeguarding and paediatric qualification standards for infant sleep consultants.

Health Minister Karin Smyth said, "Public safety is and has to remain the top priority." The Department for Health and Social Care stated in March that legislation would be amended to restrict the use of the title nurse. The proposed legislative amendment would prohibit individuals working as night nannies from operating under the title maternity nurse. Smyth said the government will shortly publish a call for evidence on protecting the professional title of nurse.