Charity helpline refers ten babies and infants every day to safeguarding agencies

The NSPCC Helpline referred 3,698 children aged two and under to local safeguarding agencies between April 2025 and March 2026, an average of more than 10 referrals every day.

The children’s charity has highlighted the figures as Parliament considers the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, which seeks to make support during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life a legal requirement across England.

Neglect was the most common concern recorded in referrals involving children aged two and under, accounting for 1,661 children, or 45% of cases. Physical abuse was identified in 613 referrals (17%), while domestic abuse accounted for 574 (16%), emotional abuse for 456 (12%), and sexual abuse and exploitation for 177 (5%).

The NSPCC said the figures highlighted the vulnerability of babies and very young children, who are completely dependent on the adults around them to keep them safe.

When the Helpline makes a referral, it is passed to local safeguarding agencies such as the police or children’s social care where a practitioner believes there is a serious concern about a child or family and additional support is needed.

Last year, the Helpline made referrals concerning 23,577 babies, children and young people, with around one in six involving children aged between zero and two.

One member of the public who contacted the NSPCC Helpline described concerns about a two-year-old neighbour, saying: “I'm worried about the 2-year-old next door. I hardly ever see her, but I do hear her screaming endlessly and no one consoles her. I know crying is normal - it’s the parents’ other behaviour that gives me further concern. They are shouting at each other at all hours, shouting at the young girl, slamming doors, well past midnight. I don’t know if there is physical abuse going on as well, but I think there could be.”

The NSPCC said abuse and neglect during the earliest years of a child’s life can have long-term consequences for physical and emotional health, learning and the ability to form positive relationships.

The charity is backing the Infants, Parents and Carers Bill, which would require professionals to assess the needs of babies, parents and carers and ensure they have access to appropriate information and support.

The proposed legislation would seek to ensure babies receive support during their first 1,001 days from services including health visiting, family hubs and perinatal mental health support.

Abigail Gill, Acting Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the NSPCC, said: “The first two years of a child’s life play a massive part in shaping their lifelong development and wellbeing. Yet for too many families, where their baby is born can dictate the help they receive. In 2026, that is simply unacceptable.

“Early access to support means families are able to get the help they need before problems escalate. This not only helps ensure concerns are identified and addressed at the earliest opportunity, but it can massively reduce the risk of vulnerable children falling through the cracks.

“The Infants, Parents and Carers Bill is a once in a generation opportunity to transform support for both babies and their families. MPs have the opportunity to stand up for the very youngest children who are unable to speak up for themselves and ensure that every baby has the best possible start in life.”

The latest Department for Education figures also point to the scale of need among infants. In March 2025, 15,870 babies under the age of one were identified as being in need.

The NSPCC said the proposed legislation could help ensure support is available consistently, regardless of where a family lives.

Kirsty, who used the NSPCC’s Pregnancy in Mind service, said early preventative support had been particularly valuable after pregnancy exacerbated her existing anxiety.

“I was terrified when I first became pregnant. I had suffered with anxiety for quite a long time but had learnt to manage my mental wellbeing as an adult, yet finding out I was pregnant ramped up my anxiety into full gear. I suffered from panic attacks, palpitations and sometimes felt afraid to leave my home or go to work. So, I knew I needed help.

“When my midwife referred me to the NSPCC’s Pregnancy in Mind programme I was initially nervous to go, but being in a room full of people in the same kind of position as you made me feel normal for once. I could talk about my experience openly in a safe environment.

“I firmly believe that it’s so important that all parents are offered this support before children are brought into the world, so they can be happy and healthy parents. I feel fortunate to have had access to a service such as this and think it would be fantastic for services that offer help to new parents to be standard for everybody that was pregnant, and beyond - whether you are struggling with your mental health, or just need a helping hand.”

Dame Andrea Leadsom, Founder and Executive Chair of the 1001 Critical Days Foundation, said the Bill represented an opportunity to establish the importance of the earliest years in law.

“This is potentially a historic moment for babies and families, not only in this country but also around the world.

“We were among the first countries to legislate for universal education because we recognised that investing in children is an investment in our future success and wellbeing.

“We now have the opportunity to lead the world by recognising in law the unique importance of the 1,001 critical days. The evidence is overwhelming that the period from pregnancy to age two is when the building blocks for lifelong emotional and physical wellbeing are laid down. Supporting babies and families at the very beginning is one of the smartest investments a country can make.”

The NSPCC is now urging MPs from across the political divide to support the Bill as Parliament returns, arguing that a legal requirement for early support could help ensure babies and infants receive a safe and nurturing start in life.