Key findings about parents
The study asked questions on topics covering parenting challenges, home life, school life, SEND, crime and more. Some headline findings include:
- 2 million mothers say that being a parent has negatively impacted their mental health in the last year.
- 860,000 parents feel lonely every day.
- 2 million parents admit they sometimes ignore their children because they are on their phone.
- The poorest parents are twice as likely to regularly worry about knife crime.
- 3.5 million parents have asked schools to assess their child for special educational needs.
The report also highlights financial pressures. Many families continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, which not only affects day-to-day choices but also adds stress to stretched households. The survey shows how socio-economic background strongly influences parents’ worries and priorities.
Insights into children’s lives
The survey revealed parents’ views on their children’s wellbeing at school:
- 1 million children feel unsafe at school.
- 2 million children have been bullied at school in the last year.
- 2 million children are unhappy at school.
- 3 million children have lessons disrupted due to poor behaviour.
These statistics highlight how challenging it is for schools to create safe learning environments for every child. They also indicate the role school life plays in children’s mental health and social development, not just their academic progress.
What next?
The report’s recommendations (page 70) suggest ways forward, but solutions inevitably depend on context, differing views, and available resources. Policymakers, educators and leaders are encouraged to read these insights, so they are equipped to improve support for both parents and children.
Read the full Parentkind National Parent Survey 2025 report here
Reference
- The National Parent Survey 2025. Available at: https://nationalparentsurvey.com/ (Accessed: 24 September 2025)
