Neglect

Statistics compiled by the NSPCC suggest that almost half of all children on child protection plans in England are on plans because of concerns about neglect, and that 1-in-10 children will have experienced neglect – i.e., potentially 3 children in every class of 30. In 2021/2022, Childline referred 8,389 children to agencies regarding concerns of neglect.

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.

The latest annual report from the Safeguarding Practice Review Panel found in 53% of cases reviewed children had suffered neglect prior to the incident of abuse. We need to understand the cumulative effects of neglect and actively review the concerns to assess the level of harm caused.

Types of neglect

Neglect can include:

• educational – not ensuring the child receives/attends appropriate education.
• physical – failure to provide for basic needs e.g., food, shelter, safety (including exclusion from home or abandonment) and/or failing to provide adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate carers). Physical neglect may also occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance misuse.
• emotional – failure to nurture, protect from emotional harm and/or provide the stimulation a child needs. This overlaps with emotional abuse and may involve ignoring, intimidating, isolating or humiliating the child.
• medical – a failure to ensure a child receives appropriate medical care and treatment, including dental care, or ignoring medical advice. It includes the failure of the parent/carer to take their child to appointments.
• adolescent – the failure to provide adequate parenting and support for teenagers resulting in them being left to deal with issues by themselves (e.g., sourcing clothing and food, finding shelter, dealing with emotions, levels of supervision and general well-being).

External factors

Sometimes neglect occurs because parents/carers won’t look after their children and sometimes because they are unable to. Covid-19 led to significant strains within families, often linked to financial and job security. Many families endured difficult situations involving poverty and homelessness. The cost-of-living crisis has made this worse, with parents unable to provide the essentials such as food and heating. Many parents and carers feel the need to work longer hours, leaving children with inadequate supervision because they cannot afford additional or suitable childcare. Concerns about providing for children have also led to increases in parental mental ill health and parental substance misuse.

Whilst families may not be deliberately neglecting the needs of their children, intervention is still necessary to prevent either short-term or long-term harm.

Additional vulnerabilities

Any child can suffer from neglect, but some groups of children may be more vulnerable, such as those:

• with parents/carers out of the house for prolonged periods;
• living in poverty;
• with parents/carers experiencing substance/alcohol misuse issues;
• with parents/carers experiencing mental health issues or with disabilities;
• with disabilities;
• being left on their own for prolonged periods or being left in the care of siblings or unsuitable carers.

Whether they fit any of the criteria on this list or not, if you have concerns about a child speak to your DSL.

Promote safeguarding 

Education settings are key to enabling the provision of early help and empowering parents to care for their families.

This could include:

• promoting positive relationships with parents and carers that encourage them to learn and understand what support they need, and to seek help when problems first appear;
• providing direct practical and emotional support to a child and/or their parents/carers;
• knowing which services are available and offer appropriate support to families, and signposting families to them when necessary;
• recognising when children need protection and sharing essential information about a child and their family with relevant agencies as necessary;
• monitoring a child’s situation and checking in regularly so they know they have ongoing support.

Take action – and keep taking action until you know children and young people are safe.