New data released by the NSPCC reveals that reported cases of child cruelty and neglect have doubled over the past 5 years.
The data, obtained by the national children’s charity through a Freedom of Information Request to police forces in England, shows that there has been a 106% increase in recorded offences of adults neglecting, mistreating or assaulting children over the last 5 years.
The NSPCC has raised serious concerns that reported cases of child cruelty have risen year on year, calling the figures a “stark wake-up call.”
Of the 40 police forces they contacted, 36 responded. The data they provided showed that there had been 29,405 child cruelty offences recorded between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023. Five years ago, in 2017-18, the figure was 14,263.
The NSPCC’s own confidential helpline, Childline, received almost 40,000 child welfare contacts last year from adults who were concerned about child cruelty or neglect.
Reform needed to tackle child cruelty
The charity says that the increase in offences coincides with frontline child protection services – including health, policing and children’s services – coming under significant strain, including from increasing costs and high demand.
Data shows that more than 655,000 child in need assessments were completed by children’s social care services in 2022-23. At the same time, some of the largest councils in England reported that they were overspending on their budgets by £600 million due to “uncontrollable” spending pressures ramping up the cost of delivering much-needed services to the most vulnerable children and young people.
The figures also follow a series of high profile court cases into the deaths of babies and children at the hands of their parents or carers.
The NSPCC is now calling for a “well-resourced and effective child protection system, that identifies risks to children as early as possible and is able to take swift action.”
They say such a system is vital in order to tackle child cruelty and improve the lives of babies, children and young people across the country.
The government has previously outlined plans to reform the child protection system. In November this year, the NSPCC joined with four other leading children’s charities – Barnardo’s, Action for Children, The Children’s Society and The National Children’s Bureau – to urge them to put babies, children and young people at the heart of policy-making and push forward with the wholesale reform of children’s social care.
They want significant investment in early intervention and prevention and for frontline practitioners to be properly supported and equipped with the best possible skills and expertise to work directly with families in need and share information effectively.
‘Real danger’ child cruelty offences will spiral
The Chief Executive of the NSPCC, Sir Peter Wanless, said:
“These latest child cruelty figures are a stark wake-up call that our current system is struggling to prevent the horrifying abuse and neglect happening to some of the youngest and most vulnerable in our society.
“The government has pledged to reform the child protection system to provide earlier support for babies, children and young people and stop families’ problems escalating to crisis point. The figures underline why it is urgent that these changes are delivered at pace alongside significant investment.
“We can not afford for this to be delayed any longer as there is a real danger we will continue to see these offences spiral upwards if significant change doesn’t happen.
“Through reform and investment, politicians can turn these figures around to ensure babies, children and young people don’t experience the scourge of abuse and neglect, and, instead, can live safe, happy and healthy childhoods.”
Training to safeguard children
First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food safety, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.
They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services. Their courses include Safeguarding Children.
A trainer from FRT says:
“It is deeply saddening to hear of any child being mistreated, particularly by those who are supposed to care for them.
“We know from the many organisations that we work with, that those who provide frontline care and support for babies, children and young people are committed to keeping them safe and do their utmost to achieve this. Often, though, they face many challenges and significant pressures.
“It’s vital that anyone who works with children and young people completes Safeguarding training so that they are aware of the signs of child cruelty and neglect and know the correct action to take if they suspect a child is at risk.”
For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.