In a report published today the charity says that the current law 'fails to protect children and must be urgently updated', in particular because 'it does not cover all forms of neglect, particularly emotional neglect.'

Cheif executive Dame Clare Tickell said: 'Neglect is the most common form of child abuse affecting children in the UK, yet we have an outdated law which does not reflect what we now understand children need and what neglect actually is.

'The law leaves children unprotected and parents without support and unclear about their responsibilities until it's too late. We must ensure that these vulnerable children are protected from the serious harm which neglect, in all its forms, causes to their health and wellbeing.'

Schools are often in the frontline when it comes to child neglect, since they are among those best placed to recognise when there is a need for early intervention. Designated persons can find out how schools can intervene and work with external agencies effectively by reading this guidance on combating child neglect.