ICON Week 2026 - Launch (21 September 2026)

In this launch webinar, we explore why the ICON message remains so important in helping keep babies safe and supporting parents and carers when crying becomes overwhelming. Sue Smith brings together the core ICON messages with the wider national focus on the first 1001 days, recent policy developments and the importance of early intervention. The session highlights why parents need practical support before stress escalates, and why giving families simple, consistent advice can make a real difference. Sue also looks at what effective ICON delivery should look like across local areas, emphasising the importance of delivering the full ICON programme, rather than selecting individual elements or diluting the message. The webinar also introduces the programme of events taking place throughout ICON Week 2026, with a call for organisations to make greater use of ICON resources and help spread the message. The session finishes with a fundraising appeal to support further evaluation and the development of ICON resources, followed by a practical Q&A addressing some of the challenges parents face when dealing with persistent crying. Babies cry. You can cope. Find out more about ICON and access free resources at www.iconcope.org/iconweek.