The NSPCC has referred itself to the Charity Commission after discovering that 37 contacts from children categorised as high-risk were not passed on to police or local authorities over a six-month period.
The charity's Childline service operates on a promise of confidentiality but has a duty to break that confidence when a child is at serious or immediate risk. The NSPCC said the failures meant vulnerable young people ‘might not have received the immediate support they deserved.’
Chief Executive Chris Sherwood apologised and confirmed the charity had launched a comprehensive Renewal Plan, including a £7m investment in new technology, alongside new training programmes for staff and volunteers, and strengthened governance and oversight.
Sherwood confirmed Childline would remain open and operational throughout.
The Charity Commission oversees the conduct of registered charities in England and Wales and has the power to investigate and intervene where serious concerns are identified.
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