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Last year our Helpline referred over 3,500 children aged two and under to local safeguarding agencies.
New data from our Helpline has revealed concerns about the safety of thousands of babies and very young children are being referred to safeguarding agencies each year.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, we referred 3,698 children aged two and under to local safeguarding agencies – an average of more than ten a day.
We’re urging MPs to seize a landmark opportunity to give all babies the best start in life by backing the upcoming Infants, Parents and Carers private members’ Bill.
The Bill is intended to make support during pregnancy and the first two years of a child’s life a legal requirement across England.
Neglect, physical abuse and domestic abuse were the top three concerns among NSPCC referrals for children in this age bracket, with neglect alone accounting for almost half (45%) of all referrals for this age group.*
When the Helpline makes a referral, this goes to local safeguarding agencies such as the police or children's social care. This happens when a practitioner believes there’s a serious concern about a child or a family and they need support.
Last year, our Helpline made tens of thousands of referrals, with around one in six being for children aged 0 to 2.
One neighbour who contacted our Helpline with their concerns said:
"I'm worried about the two-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 earliest years of a child’s life are a time of great opportunity, but also a time of great vulnerability. Especially as they’re completely dependent on the adults around them to keep them safe.
The impact of abuse and neglect during this period can cast a very long shadow. It affects children’s physical and emotional health, their learning and their capacity to form positive relationships throughout their lives.
The latest data from the Department for Education further highlights the unique vulnerability of the youngest children and the scale of this issue. In March 2025, 15,870 babies under the age of one were identified as being in need, underlining the significant number of infants requiring additional support.
The upcoming Babies Bill seeks to make sure professionals assess the needs of babies, parents and carers, and make sure they have the right information and support.**
This would ensure all babies receive the support they need in their first 1,001 days from services such as health visiting, family hubs and perinatal mental health support.
As Parliament returns, we’re urging MPs across the political divide to back the Bill to make sure every baby and infant, regardless of where they live, get a safe and nurturing start in life.
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.”
Kirsty***, who found extreme value in early preventative help and used our Pregnancy in Mind service, said:
“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:
“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 top five main concerns in referrals of children aged two and under (excluding unborn) between April 2025 and March 2026 are as follows:
|
Top five reasons for referral |
Total children in referrals aged two and under (excluding unborn) |
% Total children in referrals aged two and under (excluding unborn) |
|
Neglect |
1,661 |
45% |
|
Physical Abuse |
613 |
17% |
|
Domestic Abuse |
574 |
16% |
|
Emotional Abuse |
456 |
12% |
|
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (excluding online) |
177 |
5% |
**Children in need are a legally defined group of children assessed as needing help and protection as a result of risks to their development or health.
***Snapshots/quotes are based on real Helpline contacts but are not direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child and/or adult involved.