THE NSPCC and its services are here to support children and families with whatever they are going through. Our Childline counsellors hear from young people every day worried about all kinds of topics, from back-to-school blues to online abuse.

Our colleagues at the NSPCC Helpline experience slightly different contacts, with neglect being the most reported concern by adults worried about a child. Last year, there were more than 20,500 contacts to the Helpline about neglect, with almost half leading to a referral being made to a local agency, such as police or social care. Neglect could range from children being left hungry or dirty, without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or healthcare, and it can put young people in danger. Not just immediate danger, but potentially causing long-term impacts on physical and mental wellbeing.

New NSPCC research reveals that 83per cent of professionals across healthcare, police forces, children’s social care and education believe there aren’t enough services available to support children experiencing neglect. YouGov surveyed 700 professionals and found more than half (54 per cent) had seen an increase in child neglect cases during their professional life - 90 per cent said the rising cost of living and poverty rates were the driving factor.

Last week the NSPCC launched a new report, entitled Too little, too late, to draw on these findings and additional focus groups held with professionals. It found there were limited resources, specialised professionals or interventions to help tackle neglect in England and there had been a near society-wide normalisation of neglect. More than three in five police officers and half teachers polled said children’s social care responded slowly to neglect referrals. Over half of healthcare professionals, police and teachers said they were never or rarely informed of follow-up action following a referral.

Neglect is the only form of child maltreatment defined by its persistence, which means it might continue for a time before there can be intervention. It might not be seen as an incident that meets the threshold for serious harm, rather a patchwork of lower-level reports built up over time to form a picture of continuous harm. This creates challenges for professionals who need to assess the point where thresholds are met. Even if intervention thresholds aren’t met, families often still need support to prevent prolonged neglect. Many families are not getting this support early enough, or it’s cut short.

It is vital that the new Government is ambitious in its plans to roll out integrated, connected family support services, delivered via a single ‘front door’. Aspects of this model are being tested through the Government’s Pathfinder programme, but there is an absence of focus on neglect. The NSPCC is calling for neglect to be treated as an urgent national crisis, we want the Government to introduce a national neglect strategy and improved guidance as part of its plans to eradicate child poverty.

* To read the Too little, too late report or find out more about how to spot signs of neglect, go to nspcc.org.uk. If you have concerns about a child or young person call 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk