Birmingham's new NSPCC centre aims to tackle child abuse

An NSPCC centre opening in Birmingham later will work with ChildLine to offer face-to-face counselling.

A new service at the centre in Newhall Square also aims to ensure children reunited with their birth families are not abused or neglected.

The charity said it will also focus on working with children from minority ethnic communities.

Currently in Birmingham, 485 children are on a protection plan because of neglect, according to council figures.

The city council said its Safeguarding Children Board had launched 26 serious case reviews where children had died or been seriously injured because of abuse or neglect since 2005.

The centre will bring together NSPCC workers from Birmingham and the Black Country.

Sandra Lescott-Robinson, from the NSPCC, said they were looking forward to working closely with organisations across the city to "help create a safer future for our children".

The Birmingham Service Centre will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Anita Ward.