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Neighbours report thousands of child neglect cases to the NSPCC Helpline, revealing crisis behind closed doors

We’re urging anyone with concerns about child neglect to contact us for further support.

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  • Last year we received 4,515 contacts from community members and neighbours worried about child neglect.
  • Almost half (49%) of these contacts were serious enough to require a referral to local safeguarding agencies — a 17% increase compared to 2023/24.

We’re demanding a ‘wake-up call’ as our new data reveals local communities are increasingly concerned about children in their area experiencing neglect.

Between April 2024 and March 2025, we handled 4,515 contacts from worried community members and neighbours about child neglect. This accounted for a quarter (25%) of the 17,734 contacts about neglect last year.

By comparison, in 2023/24 there were 3,430 contacts from neighbours and community members about neglect — meaning the service has seen a 32% increase in neglect contacts from those in the local community.

Alarmingly, the data further revealed that almost half of neglect contacts from neighbours and community members last year were serious enough to require a referral to local safeguarding agencies for additional support. This highlights a 17% increase in referral rates when compared to 2023/24 neglect contacts from the same audience.

Local communities play an essential safeguarding role for children and are often some of the first people to spot early signs of neglect.

Whilst making that call is not easy, community members taking the step to raise concerns about a child is crucial to preventing harm.

Top concerns for those who got in touch with about neglect included children being left alone, adult substance and alcohol misuse, not meeting a child’s basic care needs, living environments and emotional neglect.

Worried about a child?

You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk

Find out more

One neighbour who contacted us said:

“A mum near me left a domestic abuse relationship to move into a flat, but she doesn’t seem to be getting any support since being moved. She told me she was struggling for money and admitted she gets a takeaway every few days and hopes it lasts between them. I’ve noticed children aren’t being washed now too, I’d guess she’s struggling to look after 3 kids or struggling to pay the water bill.”

Financial hardship, 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.

When families do not receive the support needed to relieve that pressure and address emerging concerns, significant risks to children often follow.

Neglect can impact a child’s physical and mental health, hinder their development, and disrupt their ability to form secure relationships, which is why it is so essential families get the support they need early to prevent this harm.

Recently the NSPCC surveyed 6,500 adults across the UK for a new report called ‘Small Acts, Big Impact: how communities can support families through everyday challenges’.

Read the full report here

93% of participants said they believe supportive actions can help families and children. 57% admitted a motivator for offering support would be if it's for a neighbour.

Most participants also said they would be open to receiving supportive actions.

In light of this, the charity welcomes the government’s recent announcement of additional investment in children’s services, which includes greater focus on prevention and early intervention.

However, with our latest data drawing attention to a stark rise in contacts about neglect, it’s crucial the government gives greater attention to ensuring robust local support is in place to support children and families where neglect is a concern, so that families can receive help before problems in the home escalate.

We’re also encouraging anyone with concerns about child neglect to contact the Helpline for further support, as only when we all work together can we support a child in their time of need.

Nick Treloar, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the NSPCC, said:

“It’s heartening to see the local community stepping up to protect children from neglect and turning to our Helpline for support. Their concern shows just how deeply this issue is felt across the country.

“Neglect isn’t always obvious to spot and speaking up might feel hard, but it can be the turning point for a child in danger.

"Without early support, our fear is that children will keep slipping through the cracks. The Government must wake-up to the profoundly urgent crisis of child neglect and commit to a national neglect strategy that gives families in England vital support before irreversible harm is done."

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