ABSTRACT
NEGLECT DESCRIBES THE breakdown or absence of parental care. It is themost prevalent form of child maltreatment in the UK, and now represents more than one half of children and young people who become the subject of formal child protection processes. It is an insidious form of abuse affecting children in a variety of ways, including impaired growth and development and poor health. Its consequences can be irreparable, severe and long term, depriving children of the opportunity to realise their potential in all areas of social functioning, relationships and educational achievement. Neglect encompasses emotional deprivation and can coexist with physical and sexual abuse. It is a contributory factor in many child deaths and in extreme cases it may be the direct cause. Working Together to Safeguard Children describes neglect as:
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 and 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-takers) Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs.
