Neglect (child)

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
• Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
• Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers)
• Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs (WT 2018).

Additional definitions can be found on NSPCC website [External Link].

Neglect is the most common reason for Child Protection Plans in the United Kingdom. Analysis of Child safeguarding Practice Reviews has made the link between neglect and childhood fatalities. Neglect causes great distress to children and leads to poor outcomes in the short and long term. Consequences can include an array of health and mental health problems, difficulties in forming attachment and relationships, lower educational achievements, and increased risk of substance misuse, higher risk of experiencing abuse as well as difficulties in assuming parenting responsibilities later on in life. 

For further information and guidance see Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Neglect Practice Guidance [PDF document] and Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Neglect Strategy 2017-2020 [PDF document]

Home Environment Assessment Tool (Health) [Word Document]

Was Not Brought Policy (Health) [PDF Document]

NHS England Was Not Brought Guidance [PDF Document]