Reports of serious child abuse higher than ever, says NSPCC

The NSPCC have revealed that, in the 12 months leading up to the end of March 2011, their 24-hour helpline received a record number of calls to report cases of suspected child abuse.

Trained NSPCC counsellors referred to an astonishing 16,385 cases to police or social services between April 2010 and March 2011. This represents a 37% increase on the previous year and is the biggest annual increase the charity has ever recorded. Referrals for cases of neglect alone increased by a staggering 81% on last year, with 6,438 cases being referred to authorities.

Nearly 50% of people calling the freephone service last year were reporting serious concerns which had to be passed onto the relevant authorities. This comes hot on the heels of research recently carried out by the NSPCC which shows that almost one in five secondary school children has suffered some type of maltreatment during their childhood.

With child protection registers now clocking up a combined 46,000 children’s names, the national charity is calling for major changes to be made in UK child protection policy to ensure earlier and more effective intervention.

John Cameron, Head of the NSPCC Helpline, said: "We must pick up on children’s problems as early as we can to stop their abuse. Social workers cannot be in the community all the time. But member of the public can be their eyes and ears.

"The NSPCC Helpline provides advice and counselling to people who have concerns about a child. It also brings abused and neglected children to the attention of local agencies and acts as a gateway to local services."

First Response Training can provide Child Protection training for those working closely with children and young people. Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: "This course provides staff with an introduction to the important topic of child protection. It teaches delegates about their responsibilities for safeguarding children and how to work safely as a team with the protection of children in mind.

"It covers the relevant policies and procedures, where abuse may occur and the signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as discussing the different types of abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual. The course focuses on taking action and the correct channels to follow if you suspect that abuse is taking place. It is an essential course for anyone working in the childcare sector."

"It covers the relevant policies and procedures, where abuse may occur and the signs and symptoms of abuse, as well as discussing the different types of abuse, including physical, emotional and sexual. The course focuses on taking action and the correct channels to follow if you suspect that abuse is taking place. It is an essential course for anyone working in the childcare sector."

For more information about first aid and health and safety, please call First Response today on 0800 310 2300.