What is Child Neglect?

According to the NSPCC neglect is the most common form of child abuse, with one in ten children experiencing neglect in the UK. It is the most common reason for taking child protection action.

Neglect means not meeting a child’s basic needs. A child may be neglected if they are:

• Left hungry, dirty or poorly clothed
• Living in an unsafe home, such as around violence, alcohol or drugs
• Not getting love, care or attention
• Not getting education, health or dental care

Neglect often happens over a period of time, but can also be a one-off event. Incidents often don’t meet social care or criminal thresholds as it is the cumulative effect that is most impactful.

A child who is neglected will often suffer from other forms of abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage or even death.

Forms of Neglect

• Physical Neglect; failing to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing or shelter. Failing to adequately supervise a child or provide for their safety.
• Emotional Neglect; the omission of love and failing to nurture a child. Emotional neglect can overlap with emotional abuse but is a different form of maltreatment.
• Educational Neglect; failing to ensure a child receives an education.
• Medical Neglect; failing to provide appropriate health care, including dental care and refusal of care or ignoring medial requirements.

Signs of Neglect

• Children who are living in a home that is undisputedly dirty or unsafe
• Children who are left hungry or dirty
• Children who are left without adequate clothing, e.g. not having a winter coat
• Children who are living in dangerous conditions, e.g. around drugs, alcohol or violence
• Children who are often angry, aggressive or self-harm
• Children who fail to receive basic healthcare
• Parents who fail to seek medical treatment when their children are ill or injured.

You may notice a child who is neglected because they:

• become withdrawn
• suddenly behave differently
• are anxious, clingy and/or obsessive
• become depressed and/or aggressive
• take risks such as breaking the law, running away from home, getting involved in dangerous relationships which could put them at risk of sexual exploitation
• have problems sleeping, nightmares
• have a change in eating habits or suffer from eating disorders
• wet the bed
• soil their clothes
• miss school
• abuse drugs, alcohol
• self-harm, have thoughts about suicide.

The Effects of Neglect

• children who have been neglected may experience short-term and long-term effects that last throughout their life.
• Not only will it make a child’s life miserable but it affects all aspects of their development and future relationships. It can be anything from affecting early brain development, language delay, physical injuries from accidents, low self-esteem, poor school attendance, to; self-harm and suicide attempts.
• In the worst cases, children can die from malnutrition or being denied the care they need and in some cases it can cause permanent disabilities.
• Children who don’t get the love and care they need from their parents may find it difficult to maintain healthy relationships with other people later in life, including their own children.
• Children who have been neglected are also more likely to experience mental health problems including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Reporting Concerns

Be Curious. Act against child neglect. You may notice signs of neglect which could be the missing information to protect a child from harm. Worried about a child? Tell someone…

Talk to someone who works with them, such as their teacher, support worker, a youth worker or social worker.

To seek support or make a referral contact:

Dorset:  01202 228558

NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000

The police on 101. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Dorset Police also have a Partner Information Sharing and Intelligence Form ^[1] that can be completed online where you have non-urgent information (i.e. where there is no immediate risk to life) to share any concerns you have around a child or young person possibly being neglected. 

Reporting concerns doesn’t mean that a child will be taken into care. Children’s Services are there to help families to manage any problems they are having.

Training

You can access Neglect training through the Pan-Dorset Training Team.  To find out more, contact them by email:  pan-dorsetscptraining@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk ^[2]