NSPCC is Calling on the Government to Urgently Commit to a Children’s Recovery Plan

Recent data shows that in April, May and June there were more than 22,000 contacts to the NSPCC helpline from adults with concerns for the wellbeing of a child.

This is a dramatic increase of almost a third (32%) on the monthly average for the three months prior to lockdown. The charity received 8,287 of contacts in May - the highest number made to the NSPCC helpline in a single month on record.

The main concerns people have spoken to NSPCC helpline about during this period have been parental behaviour, physical and emotional abuse and neglect.Around 40% of the contacts received were referred on to local authorities or the police for further action, which is also a slight increase on pre-lockdown levels.

These figures back up the findings of a research report recently released by the NSPCC which underlined the increasing levels of parental and family stress, the restrictions in protective services and the way the lockdown contributed towards the risk of abuse and neglect.

The NSPCC is now calling on the government to urgently commit to a children’s recovery plan which sets out how they will tackle this crisis through investment, multi-agency partnerships and dedication to young people who are particularly vulnerable. In particular they are calling for the government to deliver the long-term investment in children’s social care that is needed to provide high quality preventative and therapeutic services for children in every part of the country and invest in rebuilding support for families with babies and young children who have missed out on the normal support from health visitors during the lockdown

Additionally, the charity is demanding greater support for the NHS, including through the provision of additional investment, to develop a coordinated plan to respond to what is likely to be an increase in referrals into Children and Mental Health Services (CAMHS) arising from the coronavirus crisis.

“The increase in contacts to our helpline during the lockdown highlights how the home has become an increasingly unhealthy and even dangerous place for some children.” said Peter Wanless, NSPCC CEO.

“We must all play our part in supporting children to recover from the mental and physical harm many will have suffered these past few months. Government’s role is crucial, and it must put in place a detailed recovery plan which will support children and young people and make sure they can receive the expert help they need if they have had difficult or damaging experiences”.

“Putting children at the heart of recovery planning and taking this action quickly will mean the crisis of the last three months does not scar the childhood of a whole generation.”

To find out more and support the NSPCC head to their website