Experiences of child neglect

Boy walking in parkChild neglect is the most pervasive form of child abuse in the UK today

  • Studies suggest 1.5 million children in the UK experience neglect
  • Too many children are experiencing chronic neglect throughout their childhood
  • It is the biggest reason for a child to need protection
  • These children are not getting the help they need

We undertook in-depth interviews with managers across 66 of our services (48 children's centres, four intensive family support services and 15 disability services) to understand about their experiences of the frequency and causes of child neglect. This builds on our existing research around child neglect and research with the general public, childcare professionals such as nurses and nursery workers, police, social workers and children themselves.

These interviews found that:

  • 51% of our services are supporting children and young people facing more severe issues compared to six months ago
  • 95% per cent of our managers had suspected that a they have worked with or come into contact with a child had been neglected

Download our findings on the experiences of child neglect

Find out more about our 'Take your action for children' neglect appeal

Our previous research on child neglect

We have a large body of material dedicated to interrogating the roots of child neglect and its impact on society. Some of our other recent work can be found below:

Neglecting the Issue (2011)
Esgeuluso'r mater (Cymraeg)
Written for Action for Children by Cheryl Burgess, Research Fellow and Brigid Daniel, Professor of Social Work, from the University of Stirling, highlights existing knowledge and evidence on the impact, causes and responses to child neglect in the UK

Child neglect experiences from the frontline report (2010)
Evidence on the damaging effects of neglect and the challenges of dealing with the issue as told by the professionals on the frontline.

Evaluation of UK Neglect Intervention Project - Year 2 Interim Progress Report (2010).
We are developing a UK neglect intervention project to identify effective and timely interventions with children and families. This project is the subject of a longitudinal evaluation by the University of Salford, with this report providing the year 2 progress erport.

Seen and Now Heard - Child Neglect report (2010)
Findings from a consultation with children on neglect.We spoke to over 3,000 eight to 12 year olds, making it one of the biggest studies of its kind.

Neglect: Research Evidence to Inform Practice (2009)
A review of the research evidence to inform practice from Action for Children consultancy services.