Statistics compiled by the NSPCC at the end of 2020 suggest that almost half of all children on child protection plans in England are on plans because of concerns about neglect. Research from 2011 (the most recent comprehensive research available) suggests that 1 in 10 children will have experienced neglect (Radford et al, 2011) – i.e. potentially 3 children in every class of 30. Neglect can be life threatening and should be treated with as much urgency as other categories of abuse.
We often intervene too slowly with neglect, sometimes because no single incident acts as a trigger, with concerns usually building up over time. At other times referrals are made to other agencies and perhaps are not taken sufficiently seriously. We need to understand the cumulative effects of neglect and actively review the concerns to understand the level of harm caused.