Reporting child neglect 'will be harder' after cuts

Action for Children said nine out of 10 teachers, police officers and social workers are regularly coming into contact with children they believe are suffering neglect.

And the number of members of the public reporting child neglect cases has almost doubled in the past three years.

But one-third of the 6,000 people surveyed by the charity believe spending cuts will make it more difficult to help children in danger of neglect as social services are scaled down.

Launching a new report at a meeting of Parliament's all-party group on child protection, Action for Children chief executive Clare Tickell said: "Professionals' best efforts are being hindered by stretched budgets and a lack of resources."

Supporting the charity's call, National Union of Teachers general secretary Christine Blower told the Star: "Teachers are usually the first to notice signs of neglect or a difficult home life.

"They are however not social workers and it is vitally important that there are the resources and expertise available outside of school to deal with any issues that teachers raise."

Shadow minister for children and young people Lisa Nandy warned that the research could have revealed just the tip of the iceberg.

"At the same time the government is cutting funding to local councils, piling more pressure on social workers who are already struggling with record numbers of children being taken into care," she said.