Data from the NSPCC Helpline shows that in 2024/25, almost 18,000 contacts about child neglect were received. This accounts for one quarter of all Helpline contacts, making child neglect the number one reason why adults reach out to the Helpline.

Adults who got in touch spoke about witnessing children not having access to food, safe shelter, clothing, shoes, being left home alone and not having their emotional and physical needs met. 41% of contacts were serious enough to require a referral to local safeguarding agencies for additional support.

Financial difficulty, a lack of access to essential services, insecure housing and other challenges can create an environment where a child’s needs can’t be met.

Childline are calling on the Government to treat neglect as an urgent, national emergency and are supporting a new amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would require the Government to introduce a national neglect strategy and improved guidance for better tackling neglect.