Q&A about child protection with NSPCC - ANSWERS BACK

[RachelMumsnet]

We're joined this week for a Q&A with the NSPCC, the UK's leading child protection charity. Last week the NSPCC's All babies count campaign was our Campaign of the Week.

Your questions will be answered by Chris Cuthbert, from the All babies count campaign, Kam Thandi, NSPCC helpline team manager, and Jane Petrie NSPCC Parenting Officer. They will be answering your questions about the work of the NSPCC, the NSPCC helpline, the All babies count campaign, and how Mumsnetters can protect children. Send in your questions to the NSPCC before 5pm on Monday 6th February and we'll be linking to their answers from this thread on 16th February.

Chris says: 'It's great that mumsnet is supporting All babies count campaign. Almost a half of the most serious cases of child abuse and neglect relate to babies under the age of one. Evidence shows that with the right services in place it is possible to prevent many of these tragic cases. We hope Mumsnetters will support us by signing our online petition. I look forward to answering your questions about the campaign.'

Kam adds: Unfortunately we can't allow you to use the Q&A session to share concerns about a specific child. If you are worried about a child right now - even if it's just a doubt, please contact the NSPCC's free 24 hour helpline immediately for advice from our trained helpline counsellors.'

Call:0808 8005000
Email [email protected]
Text 88858
(If you are texting from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, 88858 will not be available to you. However, you can text the NSPCC Helpline on 0778 620 0001. This service is not free, and you will be charged at your standard network rate.)

This Q&A has been sponsored by the NSPCC

First of all, your website isn't loading so I have no idea what your campaign 'all babies count' is about. I would think all babies do indeed count and can't imagine why you would need a campaign.

Second of all, I also would like to know exactly what the NSPCC does. Do they work with SS? Along side? Against? Why contact them over SS?

Also, I would like to know why this is a Q&A and not a live chat? Something as important as children's welfare surely needs some discussion, not just some 'rote' answers with no follow up?

Finally, and I may be wrong here, but I don't think I have ever seen a MN Q&A or live chat with a sponsorship line at the end. Why does this one have to be sponsored by NSPCC if MNHQ have already made this 'all babies count' thing a Campaign of the Week?

Having recently contacted the NSPCC on an urgent child welfare matter and being fobbed off - despite being able to give them name, whereabouts and video footage of the abuse - I am at a loss along with many others here about what the NSPCC actually does on the shop floor. If it is a merely a message machine then say so.

My concerns arose after viewing the dreaded Gypsy Blood programme which graphically depicted dreadful child abuse. I endured the programme in total horror. I then rang the emergency helpline, reported the abuse, gave them all the details and was told the NSPCC had received many calls about the children being abused and would be issuing a statement the next day.
I'm still waiting to hear / read it.
Incidentally I also contacted Channel 4 and Offcom....received a standard Channel 4 "not interested, it's great telly" reply and so far nothing from Offcom. Why should I have any faith in these organisations, especially one that i donate to in the hope of protecting vulnerable children??
Waiting for an answer NSPCC

One of the facts you quote on your website is that a large number of babies have a parent with a mental health problem

I find the implication that have a mental health problem automatically means you are a risk to your baby insulting. Most people with MH problems still take care of their children perfectly well. Your comments are just adding to the stigma that surrounds mental health issues and puts parent off from seeking support because they are scared of their children being labelled at risk of abuse.

do you believe your graphic and highly emotive advertisements actually have any effect? what effect do they have and does this justify the fact that they are awfully triggering and upsetting for survivors of abuse and very distressing for children? would a simple informative style giving numbers, what to look out for, the importance of reporting concerns etc not be better? cynically i can't help but feel the ads have no impact on child abuse and that the style chosen is aimed at raising money and nothing more.

also if you are so adamantly against parents leaving children alone will you be lobbying against the governments determination that all single mothers will be in work or having their benefits cut within a year of their children starting school regardless of the availability of suitable childcare, working hours etc?

very good point memoo - that is deeply offensive. i have mental health problems - do you assume my child is at risk?

As a survivor of abuse, the first thing I did when I got my first job straight out of University was start up a DD to the NSPCC.

I cancelled it last year when I read a thread on here regarding the huge amounts that were being spent on parties shmoozing big business for donations.

I agree with swallowedAfly that I find the adverts hugely distressing and akin to those awful despair-porn books you see in the Supermarket. I can't see what good they do as all they do is make me switch off/over in order to protect myself and my children from them.

Excellent point Memoo. I also have MH problems, should I start to worry?

oh your poor poor child tee!!! you don't leave it in the car whilst you pay for petrol do you???

Well, I don't actually have a car, so no.

Perhaps not having a car is also an issue? Are buses considered anti-child?

As a former social worker, I'd like to know why you persist in advertising a child protection helpline with the inference that you deal with the calls.
Myself and my former colleagues were always dismayed when we received a call from one of the NSPCC call handlers because most of the pertinent information as missing and as most calls are anonymous there was no way to actually get the missing information.
I'd like to know why the NSPCC isn't more upfront about just being an information and message taking line and not an assessment and referral service.

I cancelled a substantial monthly payroll donation to the NSPCC because of the grief-porn style adverts.I will never donate to your organisation again until you stop using my donations to fund campaigns such as these.

How are the NSPCC coping with reduction in funds through donations during economic downturns? How does it decide where to put money etc?

Can you explain your work in relation to the abuse many siblings of disabled children face at the hands of their disabled siblings and any campaigns you have run with regards to this. I am unable so far to find a body statutory or otherwise that is even vaguely interested.

What will the NSPCC be doing to tackle the predicted rise in child trafficking during the olympics?

I someone texts you from the Isle of Man, a crown dependancy with its own government and [oft criticised] social services system, what actually happens?

I also cancelled my direct debit to the NSPCC as a few days after I had given birth , I was sent a miseryporn flyer about the abuse and murder of babies. Stop with the shock tactics and get real. Expensive adverts , leaflets, flyers, phone lines etc....it seems to be turning people off, doesn't it?

This thread makes fascinating reading- I wasn't aware of the negative feeling towards the NSPCC. Having read these posts is seems entirely justified though, and I look forward to hearing the other side of the argument from the NSPCC.

I am amazed at this thread. It has really opened my eyes. I will wait with interest for the answers to the above questions.

Will the NSPCC ever apologize for it's horrible misuse of the tragic Victoria Climbi case to smear home educators, causing even more tension between many home educators and the authorities?

I agree with many of the other posts - the adverts would be helpful if it gave people something to do other than give the NSPCC money. Numbers for local authorities, specific things to look out for, ways to talk to troubled parents needing a hand would be loads better.

Oh dear. This isn't going so well, is it?

Agree about the mental health issues. A very good friend of mine has ongoing MH problems. She also has 2 lovely girls who are well looked after, intelligent, friendly, doing well at school and confident. If my dd is like the older one at the age of 10 I will feel I'm doing a good job.

Mrspnut - thank you so much for your comments which substantiates the post I made earlier in the thread

Renee, that was my first thought too! But then, I can't help but think perhaps it is good they know and if they listen perhaps they might chang e? Tbh I had no idea what people thought of them either before this thread. Will love seeing the answers! I would hunk it unusual that there us so much ire directed toward a children's charity.

What is the NSPCC's position on the effect of domestic abuse in the household upon children? To clarify, abuse which is happening around them (in the parents' relationship, for example) but not directly towards them. Do you think it is fair to take the view that the best way to protect the child is to remove them, or do you think it would be more beneficial to work with the abused partner and either remove the abuser, or help the abused partner find safety with their children?

Do NSPCC offer any support towards children and families who have escaped abusive households?