Concerns over neglect soar as charity warns of 'watershed' in child protection

Evidence collected by the charity for its annual How Safe Are Our Children? report shows 7,726 recorded offences of cruelty to children in England in 2013/14, the highest rate since 2002/3 when the number was around 4,000.

In addition, the number of contacts made by adults to NSPCC’s helpline regarding the neglect of a child rose 21 per cent over the past year to 61,000 calls, a level 228 per cent higher than five years ago.

Calls concerning neglect have seen the largest increase since 2009/10, and it is “usually the most common cause for being subject to a child protection plan or on a child protection register in all nations", the report says.

The report also details how referrals to social services have increased significantly, and last year saw the highest recorded number of referrals for children in England. The number of children in the child protection system has increased by 80 per cent since 2002.

The latest findings follow the publication earlier today of NSPCC figures showing the number of sexual offences against children reported to police rose by a third over the past year. 

The NSPCC warns that taken together the evidence points to a "watershed moment" in child protection.

Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “As our report shows, the challenges in keeping future generations safe are myriad and complex. From the leap in young people being referred to social services, to the number of sexual offences being recorded against children, it is clear that society and government needs to ‘up the ante’ and ensure tackling child abuse is a top priority.

"We believe abuse can be prevented and damaged lives repaired. But for that to happen it is crucial for every single one of us to work together; only then can we prevent abuse by protecting those who cannot protect themselves."

Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England, said the report "paints an extremely troubling picture of child abuse and neglect in England today".

She added: “Behind the statistics there are thousands of individual children are experiencing a childhood blighted through abuse and neglect. Protecting our children must be a national priority for every one of us.”

Annie Hudson, chief executive of The College of Social Work, described the report as "deeply concerning".

"We all have a duty to respond to the issues it raises," she says. "Their findings are particularly troubling when set against the current economic backdrop, which sees local authorities facing cuts and increasing financial challenges."