FIGURES have revealed that more than 100 children were referred to Barnsley Council after a call to the NSPCC help line last year.
In 2017/18 the NSPCC handled almost 20,000 calls about child neglect with more than 1,800 resulting in referrals to agencies in Yorkshire and the Humber.
Of these referrals, Barnsley had a total of 109 compared to 85 in neighbouring Rotherham.
The charity has now launched a Christmas campaign called ‘Light for Every Childhood’ which aims to make people aware of the issues. Last year Barnsley Council ramped up efforts to tackle the cause and effects of neglect on children and young people with the help of the NSPCC.
A council spokesman said: “We believe in Barnsley that neglect is preventable and that we can intervene before neglect concerns become a problem. We can and should identify, assess and support children and families with early help when neglect concerns first emerge. We must not tolerate children and young people being exposed to ongoing chronic neglect when significant harm occurs as the consequences are often life-long. Neglect comes in different forms from emotional neglect to severe deprivation. Without such a strategy we are not protecting children from neglect and will continue to see generations of children suffering neglect who then go on to neglect their own children.
“Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. It happens for many reasons, with usually no one single cause. Neglect is dangerous and can cause long-term damage blighting childhoods. It is incredibly important for anyone suspecting a child of being neglected to contact the NSPCC help line, so we can help those in need.”
Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: “Neglect doesn’t stop because it is Christmas, the holidays can in fact magnify problems because children are cut-off from the wider community and their support network.
“While it is positive that people are being vigilant and reporting concerns of children suffering neglect rather than standing by, it is still deeply worrying to see that neglect continues to be the most common reason for contacting the NSPCC help line.
“This is why we are appealing to the generous nature of the public to support our Light For Every Childhood Christmas Appeal to help us be there for even more young people in need.”
Adults concerned about a child can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
