Rising number of calls to NSPCC Helpline about wellbeing of children 

Contacts to the NSPCC Helpline from adults worried about the safety of a child are on the increase, by 12%.

In 2018/19 the Helpline received 72,812 calls and emails, referring almost half of these (49%) on to police and social services to take further action.

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The helpline in Northern Ireland made 693 referrals to police and social services in 2018/19.

The main concern was sexual abuse in 52 of these referrals.

The charity’s Helpline hears from worried adults every day and night of the week, with concerns ranging from child neglect to sexual, physical and emotional abuse.

These figures come as the NSPCC announces a new partnership – Together we’re giving kids a brighter future – with Johnson & Johnson Ltd, the makers of CALPOL®. The partnership will help the charity to answer 10,000 calls from people worried about a child. 

David Burns, Development and Quality Manager at NSPCC helpline and based in Northern Ireland, said, “Our NSPCC Helpline provides a critical service across the UK.

“It’s vital that we can continue to provide this support to adults so that they know there is somewhere they can go if they are concerned for the safety of a child.

He added, “We are delighted to have teamed up with Calpol which is helping us to answer 10,000 calls and be there for children who need us.”

James Gooddy, Assistant Brand Manager at CALPOL®, said, “For over 50 years CALPOL® has been helping parents in the UK to look after their children’s health.

“This year we will be supporting the NSPCC helpline to help answer 10,000 calls, which will go a long way towards our shared goal of giving kids a brighter future,”  he added.

Johnson & Johnson Limited is donating 5p to the NSPCC for every CALPOL® product sold in Boots from 31 July – 10 September; Tesco 14 August – 24 September; Superdrug 11 September – 8 October; and Asda 14 September – 12 October in 2019 in the UK to help the NSPCC answer 10,000 calls. 

More information about Together we’re giving kids a brighter future can be found at Calpol.co.uk/nspcc. 

Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline seven days a week on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Sep 24 2019. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry