Last updated by ruth.salter@essex.gov.uk on Monday, December 15, 2025

The NSPCC has published a news story highlighting the risks that some children face at home during the Christmas holidays and how Childline can help. The news story explores findings from a YouGov survey analysing UK adults’ perceptions of the risks children could face at Christmas. Findings show one in eight adults have had concerns for the safety of a child they know over the festive period and two thirds believe children face an increased risk of abuse during the holidays. Concerns identified about abuse during this period included: financial pressures at home; substance misuse at home; and food insecurity

A new hard-hitting Childline campaign is raising awareness of how Christmas can be the most dangerous time of year for some children and how the service is here to help them through the holidays.  You can watch the video on YouTube.