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Over 36,000 children left to face risk of abuse and neglect

Tens of thousands of children at risk of abuse and neglect are being put at risk as cuts to council budgets mean chances to intervene are repeatedly missed, warns charity.

Action for Children’s analysis of child referrals to social services by teachers, police or health professionals over two years suggests more than 36,000 children were referred a number of times before action was take on issues such as abuse and neglect or family dysfunction.

The analysis, ‘Revolving Door - Part 2’, is based on scaled-up figures from the Department for Education’s (DfE) Children in Need database for 2013/14 and 2014/15.

It also suggests that more than 13,500 children who were referred in both years did not receive any statutory support.

Action for Children says this is happening within the context of reduced central Government funding for local authorities and increasing demand.

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