Schools in England saw a 59% increase in the number of safeguarding referrals and re-referrals made to children's services between 2020-21 and 2021-22, according to a survey.
Children’s charity the NSPCC and teaching union the NASUWT found that more than 90% of UK teachers reported an increase in pupils suffering neglect or abuse,
According to the survey 87% of the 8,329 teachers responding said they had seen an increase in neglect referrals, while 84% saw a rise in emotional abuse.
It found 97% had seen an increase in safeguarding concerns since the start of the COVID pandemic.
Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: ‘The vital role that teachers play in keeping children and young people safe cannot be underestimated.
‘They are in a prime position to spot concerns, and, in many cases, they are the trusted adults that children turn to when something worrying, or upsetting, has happened to them.
‘We know that the pandemic left many children at an increased risk of abuse and neglect and since children returned to school, teachers have been key in raising their hand and reporting concerns to ensure they can get the support they need.
‘While we recognise that teachers are an essential part of the jigsaw in protecting children, at the NSPCC, we believe everyone can play their part.’
