More than half of teachers (54 per cent) have seen an increase in the number of safeguarding referrals sent by their school over the past year, according to survey findings.

And more than a third (36 per cent) said they had seen an increase in referrals of neglect made to their safeguarding lead.

A third (33 per cent) of teachers said they had seen an increase in referrals of emotional abuse over the past year, 24 per cent had seen an increase in referrals of physical abuse and 16 per cent said sexual abuse.

In total, more than two-thirds (71 per cent) said they had seen an increase in safeguarding concerns since the pandemic, according to the survey of 8,000 teachers carried out by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and teaching union the NASUWT.

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The findings follow the publication of government statistics showing that safeguarding referrals to children’s social services from schools in England are now at their highest since the start of available records in 2014, growing by 59 per cent between 2021 and 2022 (81,180 to 129,090).

Rise in safeguarding referrals

However, a Tes investigation earlier this year revealed concern that these safeguarding referrals from schools often resulted in no action being taken.

Responding to today’s survey findings, Dr Patrick Roach, general secretary of the NASUWT, said: “This research highlights the importance of ensuring that schools, other agencies and the professionals working in them are equipped with the resources, support and training they need to keep children safe.”

NSPCC chief executive Sir Peter Wanless said teachers were 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”.

He added: “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.”

The NSPCC is calling for schools to get involved in its Childhood Day on 9 June by taking part in the Childhood Day Mile.