Intervening early can save children from a lifetime of deprivation and neglect, according to a report published by Action for Children.

Estimates suggest that up to 1 million children are at risk of being trapped in the same cycle of deprivation and neglect as their parents. The charity warns future governments to re-direct resources and invest in early intervention if families are to be free of deprivation’s damaging effects.

Key findings from Deprivation and Risk include:

• Early interventions with very young children can break long term negative behavioural patterns
• Parenting is the most critical influence on children’s lives
• Children living in deprived families have less support and resources from outside the family and struggle to build up resilience and self-esteem

The report is available to download from the Action for Children website.