Parents of children who throw temper tantrums in class should be considered potential abusers or guilty of neglect, according to new official guidance.

Teachers will be told to “err on the side of curiosity” and follow up “intense” outbursts or excessive clinginess as possible signs of abuse.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) today urges education professionals, as well as NHS staff, to be on the look-out for “soft signs”, also including low self-esteem and attention seeking.