Useful Guide to Neglect in Children and Young People

Copies of this booklet may be obtained in large print, Braille, on audio cassette or in other languages. To obtain a copy in an alternative format please telephone 01344 352000.

Really useful guide to recognising NEGLECT

Over the last decade awareness of the extent of child neglect has grown Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis and it is increasingly receiving more attention nationally and locally. Child Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 protection statistics, prevalence research and enquiry reports indicate 0-2 years – Inadequate and Baby ignored while Stimulation absent that too many children are still experiencing chronic neglect throughout stimulation inappropriate stimulation. adult gets on with even mobility large parts of their childhood and are not getting the help they need when and Baby ignored while pursuing own restricted (confi ned equipment carer pursues own amusements unless in pram/chair) for 1 they need it. Practitioners also feel there is a lack of agreement around amusements, sometimes strongly sought out carer’s convenience. what constitutes child neglect and when professionals should intervene2 interacts with baby by baby Cross if baby Thus the early indicators of neglect and opportunities for preventative demands attention interventions are often missed, and the professional staff tasked to work 2-5 years 1. interactive stimulation 1. Interactive 1. No interactive in this area need support and training to develop the skills to address it. variable stimulation scarce stimulation 2. toys and resources – even if doing 2. toys and little effort to make do if nothing else resources – non A crucial part of any intervention to prevent families coming to Children’s unaffordable 2. toys and unless provided by Social Care attention due to neglect is the “early offer” of help proposed 3. outings – child resources – lacking others 3 accompanies carer on essentials 3. outings – no by Professor Eileen Munro in her fi nal report so that families who do whenever carer decides, 3. outings – outings for the child not meet the criteria for social care can be helped to address problems usually suitable child child simply but may play in the before they escalate. There is also emerging research evidence regarding friendly places accompanies, street but carer goes effective early intervention and the difference that therapeutic support for 4. special occasions – plays out doors in out locally sometimes included, neighbourhood with 4. special occasions 4 children and their families can make provided for or made to little supervision. – rarely is the child feel special 4. special occasions included or provided This guide to recognising neglect is for practitioners across the children’s – seldom included, for or made to feel provided for or special workforce. It aims to address the issue of what neglect is, what it looks made to feel special like in different age groups and when intervention is necessary. It should 2 – 5 + years Maintains education but Little effort to Not concerned, no be used in conjunction with the Bracknell Forest Continuum of Family little support at home maintain education. understanding of the Support Services which identifies appropriate provision for different even if has spare time No concern about benefi t of education stages of need, from universal services through to crisis intervention. child missing school

Thanks to Southampton LSCB for allowing the use of the ’Really useful guide to recognising NEGLECT’ for the basis of this booklet and to Bracknell Forest LSCB for commissioning and funding this work. Berkshire LSCB Child Protection Procedures http://berks.proceduresonline.com/index.htm CAF Practitioners Tool Kit

1 Radford et al. 2011 Child Abuse and Neglect in the UK Today. London NSPCC http://schools.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/caf.htm 2 Gardener 2008 Developing an Effective Response to Neglect and Emotional Harm. London NSPCC http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/continuum-of-family-support-services.pdf 3 Munro 2011 Review of Child protection: Final Report – A Child Centred System DfE 4 Long et al 2012 Evaluation of the Action for Children UK Neglect Project Manchester: University of Salford 2 15 Bracknell Forest Neglect Proﬁ le What is neglect? Areas of affection and love

Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis Neglect is not an event but rather an absence of appropriate care, often Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 over a long period of time. It may be difﬁcult to distinguish between Carer – Not sensitive enough – Quite insensitive, Insensitive to even neglect and material poverty. Many forms of physical neglect, such sensitivity messages and signals needs repeated or sustained intense as inadequate clothing, exposure to environmental hazards and poor have to be intense to prolonged intense signals or even hygiene may be directly attributed to poverty. While some families do make an impact e.g. signals dislike of child crying face great ﬁnancial hardship, aspects of neglect cannot be dismissed or overlooked. Neglect is a serious form of maltreatment and can be fatal. It Timing of Does not respond at time Response delayed No responses unless response of signals if during own even when child is a clear mishap can be summed up as a failure of provision and a failure of supervision. leisure activity. Responds in distress for fear of being at time of signals if fully accused Failure of provision - is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic unoccupied or child in distress physical or psychological needs, for example: Mutual Child mainly starts Child mainly starts Child does not engagement interaction, sometimes interactions, seldom attempt to start • Repeated, inadequate provision of food. – beginning the carer, and some the carer and rare interactions • Exposing children to physical circumstances that are inappropriate or interactions reciprocal response. reciprocal response with carer. Carer unsafe for the child’s developmental stage. Carer negative if child’s does not start behaviour is challenging interactions. Child • Inadequate provision in the home environment. appears resigned or • Inadequate attention to a child’s medical or health needs. apprehensive. • Children missing school or parents/carers not supporting a child’s learning. No reciprocal interactions • Indifferent parenting having an impact on a child’s emotional development and sense of belonging.

Failure of supervision – is where the level of guidance and supervision is inadequate to ensure that a child is physically safe and protected from harm. Neglect should be considered if for example:

• the explanation for an injury (e.g. burns, sunburn, ingestion of harmful substance, road trafﬁc incidents) suggests a lack of supervision. • if a child or young person is not being cared for by a person who is able to provide adequate care. • If a child is abandoned.

14 3 Factors contributing to neglect Bracknell Forest Neglect Profi le A number of factors are commonly present in the lives of children Areas of safety experiencing neglect.5 These factors should not be viewed as causing Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis neglect in all circumstances, but, whether in isolation or combined, these Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 elements can provide early indication of the potential for neglectful care of Awareness of Poor awareness and Oblivious to safety No consideration or a child: safety issues perception except for risks action for safety immediate danger • Mental health – one or both parents has mental health problems. Practice Handling careless, Handling unsafe, Dangerous handling, • Substance misuse. pre-mobility sometimes unattended unattended even left dangerously • Domestic violence – unstable and abusive relationships. age when laid within the during care chores unattended during house (bottle left in the care chores like • Low income – the family has low income (below 60% of the median). mouth) bathing • Material deprivation – the family cannot afford a number of food and Acquisition of Measures taken against Few measures Inadvertently clothing items. mobility danger about to happen against danger. exposes to dangers • Cycles of neglect and the adult caregivers’ experience of poor ineffective Improvement from or fails to act when parenting as a child. mishaps soon lapses dangers apparent • Worklessness – no parent in the family is in work. Infant/primary Little supervision indoors No supervision, Minor mishaps • Housing – the family lives in poor quality and/or overcrowded housing. school and outdoors. Acts if in intervenes after ignored or child noticeable danger mishaps which soon is blamed, fails to • Qualifi cations – no parent in the family has any academic or vocational lapse again prevent or intervenes qualifi cations. casually after major • Illness/disability – at least one parent has a limiting long-standing mishap illness, disability or infi rmity. Junior/primary Not always aware of Not concerned about Unconcerned • Poor parental functioning (including learning disabilities). & secondary whereabouts outdoors daytime outings, despite knowledge school believing it is safe as long concerned about of dangers outdoors, • Social isolation. as returns on time late nights in case of or staying away until • Low self concept or esteem. younger child late evening/night Safety in For recreational reason For recreational For recreational While poverty is believed to increase the risk of neglect, it is important to absence leaves younger child with reason a very young reason young child highlight that poverty does not predetermine neglect. The majority of low- older child or unsuitable child left with a left alone or with person slightly older child or another young child income families are not neglectful and do provide loving homes for their unsuitable person or unsuitable person children. When poverty co-exists with other forms of adversity however, Traffi c 0-4 Infants not secured Young child left far Babies unsecured. it can negatively impact the parent’s ability to cope and undermine their years in pram, young child behind when walking Careless with pram. capacity to adequately respond to their child’s needs. expected to catch up or dragged with Young child left to with adult when walking, irritation wander and dragged glances back now and along in frustration Neglect may also occur as a short term reaction to a crisis – “ordinary then if left behind. Babies when found people in extra ordinary circumstances.” not secured Traffi c 5+ Younger child sometimes Younger child allowed A child crosses a years allowed to cross with to cross busy road busy road alone older child and watched. alone in belief that without any concern 5 Daniel Taylor and Scott 2009 Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature Review. DfCS&F Older child crosses alone they can,without or thought with some knowledge of knowledge that they road safety have been taught 4 road safety 13 Bracknell Forest Neglect Profi le Attributes of Neglectful Parents: Areas of physical care • Inability to plan. • Lack of confidence about the future. Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 • Difficulty in managing money. • Emotional immaturity. Nutrition (quantity) Adequate to variable Variable to low Mostly low or starved • Lack of knowledge of child’s needs. Nutrition Poorly organised, Ill organised, no Chaotic: eat what • Large number of children. (organisation) irregular timing, no clear mealtimes you want when you • Teenage parents. care about where can • High stress levels. meals taken. Hygiene No routines, personal Personal care Seldom or irregular The effects of neglect 0-4 years care undertaken occasionally personal care Neglect can be far-reaching in its consequences for a child. It is now or supervised undertaken or sometimes supervised recognised as one of the most dangerous forms of abuse because Hygiene Irregularly reminded Reminded only now Not supported or of its harmful and sometimes fatal effects. There is now a signifi cant 5-7 years and products and then minimum encouraged evidence base about its severe impact upon children’s well-being provided. Sometimes supervision and development.6 Not only will the experience of it make a child’s life supervised miserable now but it can affect all aspects of their development. It is also Hygiene 7+ years Irregularly reminded Left to their own Not supported or likely to influence the relationships they make with others in both early and products initiatives. Provision encouraged and later life and have an impact on how they parent their own children. provided. Sometimes minimum and supervised inconsistent In the most extreme cases, neglect can lead to the death of a child or be 7 Clothing (fi tting) Clothes too large or Clothes clearly the Improper fi tting of one of the causes of non-accidental death. too small wrong size almost all clothing The main areas of impact on a child will depend on how early the neglect Clothing Adequate to variable Inadequate weather Inappropriate for occurs, but neglect can have effects across the child’s lifespan, and can (insulation) weather protection protection weather conditions lead to the following: Health (opinion Frequent Delayed When illness sought) unnecessary consultation, becomes critical or Health and physical effects: consultation, and/ only when even then ignored. • Affect on early brain development, which may influence how a child or not seeking illness becomes Inappropriate appropriate moderately severe medication given reacts to stress or other stimulation situations in early or later life. medication or or for prolonged • A child being underweight or grossly overweight. treatment periods • Persistent infections. Health checks, Omissions for Omission because Clear disregard • Developmental delay such as walking or toileting. immunisation or reasons of personal of carelessness. of child’s welfare. • Cognitive diffi culties such as language delay, poor intellectual ability, regular dental inconvenience. Takes Accepts if Blocks home visits an inability to concentrate or express feelings. appointments up if persuaded challenged and/or supported Housing (facilities) Some essential Adults’ needs come Child dangerously fi xtures and fi rst, rarely consider exposed, unsafe or fi ttings but little needs of the child not provided for consideration of 6 Farmer and Lutman 2012 Effective Working with Neglected Children and their Families: Linking Interventions to child’s needs Long-term Outcomes. London Jessica Kingsley 7 12 Brandon et al 2013 Neglect and Serious Case Reviews London NSPCC 5 Emotional effects: The Bracknell Forest Continuum of Family Support indicates the types • Insecure attachment problems can lead to difficulties in developing of assessment, response, intervention and services in Bracknell Forest emotional relationships with peers or adults. available across various sectors for different age groups and different • Low self-esteem and self-regard, anxiety and depression, levels of need. over-compliance or anger/hostility. Concerns at Grade 3 Social effects: If a family exhibits one or more concerns, at grade 3 (barely coping • Social isolation due to difficulties in forming and keeping friendships, family) the worker should refer, via a CAF, to the Early Intervention Hub to being bullied or being ignored by peers. access multi agency specialist assessments and intervention. However if • Social exclusion leading to becoming involved with groups of children the concerns are serious the worker should make a referral to Children’s who display anti-social behaviour or who may bully others. Social Care. • Behaviour diffi culties which can make managing the school environment hard. Concerns at Grade 4 • Poor school attendance and attainment which means the child does If a family exhibits any concerns at grade 4 (family in crisis) the worker not reach their potential. should make an immediate child protection referral to Children’s Social Care. Longer term effects: • Diffi culties in maintaining relationships. • Lower educational achievements. • An increased risk of substance misuse. • Diffi culties in assuming parenting responsibilities later on in life.

When can neglect occur? Neglect can occur throughout a child’s life from the pregnancy until the adolescent years. Examples of neglect during pregnancy would be maternal substance misuse and lack of ante natal care.

Infants are particularly vulnerable to neglect, especially physical neglect. Older children who are not fed properly, for example, may be able to ﬁ nd food from other sources but for infants, a lack of nourishment can soon become life threatening.

6 11 How to use the Neglect Profi le: Neglected children often become neglected adolescents. In adolescence • To facilitate discussion with the parent in the home environment. neglect can be a lack of parental guidance leading to a young person • In supervision with the lead professional. becoming involved in risky behaviours or criminal activities, staying out • To provide a sufficient level of detail to make the decision whether or overnight without their parents knowing where they are, and running away not a CAF should be completed. to avoid maltreatment. There is an abundance of research into early years • With the Bracknell Forest Family Support Continuum to identify neglect compared with the small amounts conducted into adolescent appropriate resources. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/continuum- neglect. This is reflected in the examples given in the Bracknell Forest of-family-support-services.pdf and the Parenting Support Directory Neglect Profile. Thus it is vital to raise awareness about neglected available from [email protected] adolescents and the importance of working against preconceptions such • To monitor improvement or deterioration in the family’s situation. as the resilience of 11 to 17 year olds to neglect.

Suggested action following completion of an assessment Children particularly vulnerable to neglect using the profi le. Some children are especially vulnerable to neglect. Amongst them are children born prematurely or with very low birth weight, children with The Neglect Profile and the Family Support Continuum are to be used as disabilities, adolescents, runaways, children in care, asylum seeking tools to facilitate assessments. They should be used in conjunction with children and refugee children. sound professional judgment and, where necessary, in consultation with your line manager and other professionals involved with the family. The neglect of children with disabilities has been largely invisible. The research that does exist indicates that disabled children are more Further guidance is available from the CAF coordinator. Consultation vulnerable to maltreatment than non-disabled children8. Reasons for this regarding referral to Children’s Social Care is available via the Duty team’s are varied and complex. Firstly, children with disabilities might be less direct line to Social Workers. Tel: 01344 321211 able to communicate their needs and to access help outside their families or care settings. Secondly, the needs of children with disabilities are often It should also be noted that while the Continuum of Family Support demanding and can overstretch a family’s capacity to provide adequate Services covers the full range of need and provision, the Neglect Profi le care. is specifically focussed on assessing levels of neglect. However neglect often occurs alongside other issues. When assessing a family with multiple problems, for example substance misuse, domestic violence or mental ill-health, these need to be taken into account too when considering what action to take. Any practitioner who is unclear about the level of risk to children evident within a family should escalate to the next level of intervention.

Behavioural signs: The tool below is adapted from the Graded Care Proﬁle, designed by Dr • Passive baby. Leon Polnay and Dr O P Srivastava (Bedfordshire and Luton Community • Constant hunger. NHS Trust and Luton Borough Council). It provides practitioners with an • Constant tiredness. objective way of assessing when inadequate care could put a child at risk • Frequent lateness or non-attendance to school. of harm. It covers the following four domains of care • Destructive tendencies. • Low self esteem. • PHYSICAL CARE. • Neurotic behaviour. • SAFETY. • Demanding attention seeking behaviour. • AFFECTION & LOVE. • Running away. • ESTEEM. • Compulsive stealing or scavenging. • No social relationships. The purpose of using the neglect proﬁ le is: • to give an objective picture of the care the child is actually receiving. Physical signs: • to clarify areas of concern for parents and professionals. • Poor personal hygiene. • to highlight how parenting support and appropriate single agency or • Poor state of clothing. inter agency intervention can be planned and targeted to improve the • Emaciation, pot belly short stature. level of care a child receives. • Poor skin and hair tone. • to support the completion of a CAF by providing the required level of • Untreated medical conditions. assessment detail.

There are five grades in the original graded care profile. In our document the first two have been combined under grade 1 (Thriving Family) and any needs are met by universal services.

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Thriving Family Coping Family Barely Coping Family in Family Crisis

1. Level of Essential needs Some essential Most essential Essential needs Care met needs unmet needs unmet entirely unmet/ hostile 2. Child is priority Child and carer Child second Child not Commitment most of the time equal considered to Care

3. Action Universal Targeted Specialist Crisis Services Services & Early Services Intervention Intervention

8 9 What does neglect look like for the child? The really useful guide to recognising NEGLECT

There are five grades in the original graded care profile. In our document the first two have been combined under grade 1 (Thriving Family) and any needs are met by universal services.

Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Thriving Family Coping Family Barely Coping Family in Family Crisis

3. Action Universal Targeted Specialist Crisis Services Services & Early Services Intervention Intervention

8 9 How to use the Neglect Profi le: Neglected children often become neglected adolescents. In adolescence • To facilitate discussion with the parent in the home environment. neglect can be a lack of parental guidance leading to a young person • In supervision with the lead professional. becoming involved in risky behaviours or criminal activities, staying out • To provide a sufficient level of detail to make the decision whether or overnight without their parents knowing where they are, and running away not a CAF should be completed. to avoid maltreatment. There is an abundance of research into early years • With the Bracknell Forest Family Support Continuum to identify neglect compared with the small amounts conducted into adolescent appropriate resources. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/continuum neglect. This is reflected in the examples given in the Bracknell Forest of-family-support-services.pdf and the Parenting Support Directory Neglect Profile. Thus it is vital to raise awareness about neglected available from [email protected] adolescents and the importance of working against preconceptions such • To monitor improvement or deterioration in the family’s situation. as the resilience of 11 to 17 year olds to neglect.

Concerns at Grade 2 If a family exhibits a number of concerns at grade 2 (coping family) the worker should consider using the pre CAF checklist to determine whether or not a CAF is appropriate. If there is only one area of concern 8 Spencer et al, 2005; National Working Group on Child Protection and Disability, 2003 the worker should consider direct referral to the appropriate service. 10 7 Emotional effects: The Bracknell Forest Continuum of Family Support indicates the types • Insecure attachment problems can lead to difficulties in developing of assessment, response, intervention and services in Bracknell Forest emotional relationships with peers or adults. available across various sectors for different age groups and different • Low self-esteem and self-regard, anxiety and depression, levels of need. over-compliance or anger/hostility. Concerns at Grade 3 Social effects: If a family exhibits one or more concerns, at grade 3 (barely coping • Social isolation due to difficulties in forming and keeping friendships, family) the worker should refer, via a CAF, to the Early Intervention Hub to being bullied or being ignored by peers. access multi agency specialist assessments and intervention. However if • Social exclusion leading to becoming involved with groups of children the concerns are serious the worker should make a referral to Children’s who display anti-social behaviour or who may bully others. Social Care. • Behaviour diffi culties which can make managing the school environment hard. Concerns at Grade 4 • Poor school attendance and attainment which means the child does If a family exhibits any concerns at grade 4 (family in crisis) the worker not reach their potential. should make an immediate child protection referral to Children’s Social Care. Longer term effects: • Diffi culties in maintaining relationships. • Lower educational achievements. • An increased risk of substance misuse. • Diffi culties in assuming parenting responsibilities later on in life.

6 11 Bracknell Forest Neglect Profi le Attributes of Neglectful Parents: Areas of physical care • Inability to plan. • Lack of confidence about the future. Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 • Difficulty in managing money. • Emotional immaturity. Nutrition (quantity) Adequate to variable Variable to low Mostly low or starved • Lack of knowledge of child’s needs. Nutrition Poorly organised, Ill organised, no Chaotic: eat what • Large number of children. (organisation) irregular timing, no clear mealtimes you want when you • Teenage parents. care about where can • High stress levels. meals taken. Hygiene No routines, personal Personal care Seldom or irregular The effects of neglect 0-4 years care undertaken occasionally personal care Neglect can be far-reaching in its consequences for a child. It is now or supervised undertaken or sometimes supervised recognised as one of the most dangerous forms of abuse because Hygiene Irregularly reminded Reminded only now Not supported or of its harmful and sometimes fatal effects. There is now a signifi cant 5-7 years and products and then minimum encouraged evidence base about its severe impact upon children’s well-being provided. Sometimes supervision and development.6 Not only will the experience of it make a child’s life supervised miserable now but it can affect all aspects of their development. It is also Hygiene 7+ years Irregularly reminded Left to their own Not supported or likely to influence the relationships they make with others in both early and products initiatives. Provision encouraged and later life and have an impact on how they parent their own children. provided. Sometimes minimum and supervised inconsistent In the most extreme cases, neglect can lead to the death of a child or be 7 Clothing (fi tting) Clothes too large or Clothes clearly the Improper fi tting of one of the causes of non-accidental death. too small wrong size almost all clothing The main areas of impact on a child will depend on how early the neglect Clothing Adequate to variable Inadequate weather Inappropriate for occurs, but neglect can have effects across the child’s lifespan, and can (insulation) weather protection protection weather conditions lead to the following: Health (opinion Frequent Delayed When illness sought) unnecessary consultation, becomes critical or Health and physical effects: consultation, and/ only when even then ignored. • Affect on early brain development, which may influence how a child or not seeking illness becomes Inappropriate appropriate moderately severe medication given reacts to stress or other stimulation situations in early or later life. medication or or for prolonged • A child being underweight or grossly overweight. treatment periods • Persistent infections. Health checks, Omissions for Omission because Clear disregard • Developmental delay such as walking or toileting. immunisation or reasons of personal of carelessness. of child’s welfare. • Cognitive diffi culties such as language delay, poor intellectual ability, regular dental inconvenience. Takes Accepts if Blocks home visits an inability to concentrate or express feelings. appointments up if persuaded challenged and/or supported Housing (facilities) Some essential Adults’ needs come Child dangerously fi xtures and fi rst, rarely consider exposed, unsafe or fi ttings but little needs of the child not provided for consideration of 6 Farmer and Lutman 2012 Effective Working with Neglected Children and their Families: Linking Interventions to child’s needs Long-term Outcomes. London Jessica Kingsley 7 12 Brandon et al 2013 Neglect and Serious Case Reviews London NSPCC 5 Factors contributing to neglect Bracknell Forest Neglect Profi le A number of factors are commonly present in the lives of children Areas of safety experiencing neglect.5 These factors should not be viewed as causing Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis neglect in all circumstances, but, whether in isolation or combined, these Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 elements can provide early indication of the potential for neglectful care of Awareness of Poor awareness and Oblivious to safety No consideration or a child: safety issues perception except for risks action for safety immediate danger • Mental health – one or both parents has mental health problems. Practice Handling careless, Handling unsafe, Dangerous handling, • Substance misuse. pre-mobility sometimes unattended unattended even left dangerously • Domestic violence – unstable and abusive relationships. age when laid within the during care chores unattended during house (bottle left in the care chores like • Low income – the family has low income (below 60% of the median). mouth) bathing • Material deprivation – the family cannot afford a number of food and Acquisition of Measures taken against Few measures Inadvertently clothing items. mobility danger about to happen against danger. exposes to dangers • Cycles of neglect and the adult caregivers’ experience of poor ineffective Improvement from or fails to act when parenting as a child. mishaps soon lapses dangers apparent • Worklessness – no parent in the family is in work. Infant/primary Little supervision indoors No supervision, Minor mishaps • Housing – the family lives in poor quality and/or overcrowded housing. school and outdoors. Acts if in intervenes after ignored or child noticeable danger mishaps which soon is blamed, fails to • Qualifi cations – no parent in the family has any academic or vocational lapse again prevent or intervenes qualifi cations. casually after major • Illness/disability – at least one parent has a limiting long-standing mishap illness, disability or infi rmity. Junior/primary Not always aware of Not concerned about Unconcerned • Poor parental functioning (including learning disabilities). & secondary whereabouts outdoors daytime outings, despite knowledge school believing it is safe as long concerned about of dangers outdoors, • Social isolation. as returns on time late nights in case of or staying away until • Low self concept or esteem. younger child late evening/night Safety in For recreational reason For recreational For recreational While poverty is believed to increase the risk of neglect, it is important to absence leaves younger child with reason a very young reason young child highlight that poverty does not predetermine neglect. The majority of low- older child or unsuitable child left with a left alone or with person slightly older child or another young child income families are not neglectful and do provide loving homes for their unsuitable person or unsuitable person children. When poverty co-exists with other forms of adversity however, Traffi c 0-4 Infants not secured Young child left far Babies unsecured. it can negatively impact the parent’s ability to cope and undermine their years in pram, young child behind when walking Careless with pram. capacity to adequately respond to their child’s needs. expected to catch up or dragged with Young child left to with adult when walking, irritation wander and dragged glances back now and along in frustration Neglect may also occur as a short term reaction to a crisis – “ordinary then if left behind. Babies when found people in extra ordinary circumstances.” not secured Traffi c 5+ Younger child sometimes Younger child allowed A child crosses a years allowed to cross with to cross busy road busy road alone older child and watched. alone in belief that without any concern 5 Daniel Taylor and Scott 2009 Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature Review. DfCS&F Older child crosses alone they can,without or thought with some knowledge of knowledge that they road safety have been taught 4 road safety 13 Bracknell Forest Neglect Profi le What is neglect? Areas of affection and love

Failure of supervision – is where the level of guidance and supervision is inadequate to ensure that a child is physically safe and protected from harm. Neglect should be considered if for example:

14 3 Introduction Bracknell Forest Neglect Proﬁ le Areas of esteem

Over the last decade awareness of the extent of child neglect has grown Coping Family Barely Coping Family Family in Crisis and it is increasingly receiving more attention nationally and locally. Child Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 protection statistics, prevalence research and enquiry reports indicate 0-2 years – Inadequate and Baby ignored while Stimulation absent that too many children are still experiencing chronic neglect throughout stimulation inappropriate stimulation. adult gets on with even mobility large parts of their childhood and are not getting the help they need when and Baby ignored while pursuing own restricted (confined equipment carer pursues own amusements unless in pram/chair) for 1 they need it. Practitioners also feel there is a lack of agreement around amusements, sometimes strongly sought out carer’s convenience. what constitutes child neglect and when professionals should intervene2 interacts with baby by baby Cross if baby Thus the early indicators of neglect and opportunities for preventative demands attention interventions are often missed, and the professional staff tasked to work 2-5 years 1. interactive stimulation 1. Interactive 1. No interactive in this area need support and training to develop the skills to address it. variable stimulation scarce stimulation 2. toys and resources – even if doing 2. toys and little effort to make do if nothing else resources – non A crucial part of any intervention to prevent families coming to Children’s unaffordable 2. toys and unless provided by Social Care attention due to neglect is the “early offer” of help proposed 3. outings – child resources – lacking others 3 accompanies carer on essentials 3. outings – no by Professor Eileen Munro in her fi nal report so that families who do whenever carer decides, 3. outings – outings for the child not meet the criteria for social care can be helped to address problems usually suitable child child simply but may play in the before they escalate. There is also emerging research evidence regarding friendly places accompanies, street but carer goes effective early intervention and the difference that therapeutic support for 4. special occasions – plays out doors in out locally sometimes included, neighbourhood with 4. special occasions 4 children and their families can make provided for or made to little supervision. – rarely is the child feel special 4. special occasions included or provided This guide to recognising neglect is for practitioners across the children’s – seldom included, for or made to feel provided for or special workforce. It aims to address the issue of what neglect is, what it looks made to feel special like in different age groups and when intervention is necessary. It should 2 – 5 + years Maintains education but Little effort to Not concerned, no be used in conjunction with the Bracknell Forest Continuum of Family little support at home maintain education. understanding of the Support Services which identifies appropriate provision for different even if has spare time No concern about benefi t of education stages of need, from universal services through to crisis intervention. child missing school

1 Radford et al. 2011 Child Abuse and Neglect in the UK Today. London NSPCC http://schools.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/caf.htm 2 Gardener 2008 Developing an Effective Response to Neglect and Emotional Harm. London NSPCC http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/continuum-of-family-support-services.pdf 3 Munro 2011 Review of Child protection: Final Report – A Child Centred System DfE 4 Long et al 2012 Evaluation of the Action for Children UK Neglect Project Manchester: University of Salford 2 15 Copies of this booklet may be obtained in large print, Braille, on audio cassette or in other languages. To obtain a copy in an alternative format please telephone 01344 352000.

Really useful guide to recognising NEGLECT