TENS of thousands of teenagers across England are suffering neglect at home, according to a major new report by The Children’s Society.

Huge numbers of teenagers are not being offered crucial care, protection and emotional support and are more likely to report getting drunk, truanting and smoking.

The report, Troubled Teens – part of The Children’s Society’s comprehensive new nationwide research programme – lifts the lid on the shocking scale of teenage neglect as reported by young people themselves. The findings show that, on average, the equivalent of three Year 10 pupils in every classroom report some form of parental neglect.

The charity argues that teenagers are often wrongly seen as needing less care and support than younger children.

It is calling for a step change in the way the parenting of teenagers is viewed and wants better support and advice for parents too often struggling with the challenges of bringing up teenagers.

Researchers surveyed the level of care 14 and 15 year-olds in Year 10 received from their parents. It found that one in seven (15 per cent) reported some form of neglect.

They described experiences with parents or carers who failed to monitor their activities outside the home or make sure they got adequate health care or took little interest in their education.

Vital emotional support was found to be lacking for many 14 and 15 year-olds, with one in 12 (eight per cent) Year 10 pupils saying that their parents had rarely or never encouraged them, or helped if they had problems during the past year.

The report revealed that neglected teenagers are more likely to behave in ways that risk their physical health or future prospects. Nearly half (46 per cent) of the teenagers who said they had experienced emotional neglect had got really drunk recently – more than twice as many as those whose parents gave them the emotional care they need.

Emotional health was at risk too. Researchers asked teens about their well-being – how they felt about themselves and their lives - and uncovered a bleak picture, with neglected teenagers significantly more likely to be dissatisfied with their lives, pessimistic about their futures and lacking in confidence in their abilities. Children who reported frequent support from parents were more likely to have higher levels of well-being.

Very limited support and advice currently exists for families with teenage children. The Children’s Society wants the Government to provide parenting support focussed on the needs of teenagers as part of its Life Chances Strategy.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “Our research makes clear the central role of parental care and emotional support to the well-being of young people. With little dedicated advice readily available for parents of teenagers, we need to provide more support to parents bringing up teenagers, not to blame them.

“The Government has a massive role to play in making sure the needs of teenagers, and their parents, are never forgotten. Society must not give up on teens.”