Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 64
64
Rising child neglect linked to poverty lacks clear DfE strategy and social care response.
Conclusion
Neglect is sadly on the rise in England and is clearly linked to poverty and poor parental mental health. The Department for Education does not appear to have a clear strategy for addressing neglect and there are concerns that the social care system is not set up well to respond to neglect referrals. (Conclusion, Paragraph 160)
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 17 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗