Our Response: NSPCC finds child neglect is being ignored

In response to The NSPCC's findings that child neglect is not a priority for social workers, Matthew Downie, Head of Campaigns and Public Affairs at Action for Children, said:

"Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in the UK and can lead to severe emotional and physical damage, and in some cases death. From our annual neglect review with the University of Stirling, we know that more than half of social workers and over a third of police officers feel powerless to intervene in cases of child neglect, meaning that vulnerable children are not getting the vital support and protection they need. In local areas this means that while professionals are recognising neglect, children are not being helped early enough, often with very damaging results.

"There is an urgent need for more early intervention and to increase the professional understanding of how best to identify and work with neglected children. This is why Action for Children has worked closely with the Government to produce the national training guidelines for practitioners on child neglect.

"We agree that there is also a need for clear, consistent terminology and intervention thresholds across the civil and criminal justice systems in order for the police and child protection agencies to work together effectively to protect vulnerable children from harm. Therefore we urge the government to review the current criminal law on child neglect, which uses antiquated and confusing terms and rules out the emotional harm that neglected children suffer."