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NSPCC Wales' child neglect referrals to police up 67% | NSPCC Wales' child neglect referrals to police up 67% |
(2 days later) | |
The number of child neglect reports in Wales requiring intervention by police or social services rose by two thirds in the past year, the NSPCC has said. | The number of child neglect reports in Wales requiring intervention by police or social services rose by two thirds in the past year, the NSPCC has said. |
Of 575 calls between April 2011 and March 2012 to the charity's neglect helpline, 434 needed involvement from police or social services - a 67% rise. | Of 575 calls between April 2011 and March 2012 to the charity's neglect helpline, 434 needed involvement from police or social services - a 67% rise. |
It wants the rise researched. The Welsh government said "safeguarding children is a key priority". | |
In the UK, the NSPCC says calls about neglect have doubled since 2009. | |
The number now stands at more than 12,000 - its highest ever number. | |
Of the cases in Wales that did not require police or social services involvement, the charity said counsellors provided advice and support to callers. | Of the cases in Wales that did not require police or social services involvement, the charity said counsellors provided advice and support to callers. |
Concerns ranged from callers describing children going hungry and begging neighbours for food, to worries about children being left home alone or outside in the cold. | Concerns ranged from callers describing children going hungry and begging neighbours for food, to worries about children being left home alone or outside in the cold. |
'Child protection' | 'Child protection' |
The charity says local children's services face "unprecedented pressures". | The charity says local children's services face "unprecedented pressures". |
In Wales last year, 1,265 children were subject to child protection plans because they were at risk of harm from neglect - up from 1,180 the previous year, the charity said. | In Wales last year, 1,265 children were subject to child protection plans because they were at risk of harm from neglect - up from 1,180 the previous year, the charity said. |
It added that in the past five years, neglect has consistently been the top reason for children being subject to a child protection plan in Wales. | It added that in the past five years, neglect has consistently been the top reason for children being subject to a child protection plan in Wales. |
The charity has launched a series on initiatives to work with local authorities and care professionals to establish the best way to identify and help prevent neglect cases. | The charity has launched a series on initiatives to work with local authorities and care professionals to establish the best way to identify and help prevent neglect cases. |
Des Mannion, NSPCC national head of service for Wales, said: "More people than ever are contacting the NSPCC about child neglect. | Des Mannion, NSPCC national head of service for Wales, said: "More people than ever are contacting the NSPCC about child neglect. |
"Some of this will be down to the public being more willing to speak out - and this can only be a positive thing - but there is clearly a worrying trend, not just in our figures, but from a range of agencies and bodies. | "Some of this will be down to the public being more willing to speak out - and this can only be a positive thing - but there is clearly a worrying trend, not just in our figures, but from a range of agencies and bodies. |
"More research is needed on why this sharp increase has occurred." | "More research is needed on why this sharp increase has occurred." |
Among the calls received by the charity in Wales included a report from Wrexham about two young children often unsupervised and barefoot on the street, while their mother asked neighbours to feed them. | Among the calls received by the charity in Wales included a report from Wrexham about two young children often unsupervised and barefoot on the street, while their mother asked neighbours to feed them. |
A Cardiff caller reported a toddler and two young children who are often under-dressed and with no shoes on, while their mother drinks and takes drugs every day. | A Cardiff caller reported a toddler and two young children who are often under-dressed and with no shoes on, while their mother drinks and takes drugs every day. |
Des Mannion said: "If families cannot or will not improve, children must be protected and action be taken at the earliest opportunity. | Des Mannion said: "If families cannot or will not improve, children must be protected and action be taken at the earliest opportunity. |
"But our experience shows that with the right support many families can improve their behaviour. | "But our experience shows that with the right support many families can improve their behaviour. |
"The costs in both financial and human terms for supporting most families to change are far lower than the costs of taking children into care." | "The costs in both financial and human terms for supporting most families to change are far lower than the costs of taking children into care." |
A spokesman said the Welsh government "is committed to working with partner organisations to tackle child neglect, and to ensuring there is a framework of services in place to support parents and families at an early stage". | |
He added that the proposed Social Services (Wales) Bill will contain "provisions for a more robust and coherent statutory framework" and said the Welsh government will "continue to consider what more can be done to support agencies, practitioners, families and children". |
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