A list of 21 key signs of child neglect has been published to help the public keep an eye out for vulnerable kids.
Over the weekend the NSPCC marked Childhood Day in a bid to spread the word about the problem.
Last year the NSPCC helpline was contacted on average 55 times a day by adults worried about child neglect, Manchester Evening News reported.
NSPCC Helpline practitioner Emily Wilcox said: “The NSPCC Helpline get calls about a range of child protection concerns, but the ones where the caller is concerned about neglect really are heartbreaking.
"People tend not to call us with their concerns about neglect unless it’s been going on for some time, because they may feel they do not have a full insight and are worried about what may happen as a result of calling.
“Sometimes people don’t call straight away because they’re not sure if what’s happening constitutes neglect.
"But we need people to call us as soon as they become concerned, no matter how big or small they believe the concerns to be, as this can be the missing piece to a jigsaw of a bigger picture which can make all the difference to a child.
The NSPCC has published a guide for anyone concerned about a child’s welfare who is unsure whether what they’ve seen indicates neglect.
Anyone with concerns about a child should call the NSPCC Helpline free on 0808 800 5000 for support and advice, 365 days a year.
To read more about Childhood Day click here.
