Media office FAQs

Find answers to the questions that journalists most frequently ask our media officers.

Through our work - overwhelmingly funded by public donations - children are better informed, better cared for and better protected.

What exactly does the NSPCC do?

When was the NSPCC founded, and by whom?

Is it ever going to be possible to end child abuse completely?

How do you work with social services?

What exactly does the NSPCC do?

 We’re here to end cruelty to children in the UK. It’s an aspiration which will take time, but nothing less will do.

We make a real difference for children – by fighting for their rights, listening to them, helping them when they need us and making them safe.

Our focus is on the most acute forms of abuse and the most vulnerable, highest risk children and families, working in areas where we can have most impact.

Find out more about our approach and what we do

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When was the NSPCC founded, and by whom?

The NSPCC was founded in 1884 by the Reverend Benjamin Waugh. After witnessing the levels of deprivation and child cruelty in Greenwich, London, Waugh’s urgent priority was to raise awareness of the plight of children.

Find out more about our history

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Is it ever going to be possible to end child abuse completely?

There is nothing inevitable about child cruelty. Someone, somewhere nearly always knows or suspects something is going on when a child is being abused. What is needed is for everyone to act on those concerns. Of course, we are not going to end child abuse overnight. But if we all work together, step by step, then slowly we can start bringing down the rates of child cruelty in this country. Ending child abuse in the UK relies on each and every one of us taking action against it.

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How do you work with social services?

We are represented on LSCBs (local safeguarding children's boards) across the country which includes children's services. We also work closely with them to provide support to help children and families. The NSPCC helpline refers serious child protection calls to children's services colleagues.

Find out more about how we protect children

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