This is an umbrella term that covers many different sorts of abuse. Put simply, neglect is the failure to provide what a child or young person needs in which to flourish. This could be love, attention, education, food, a home, medicine, clothing or any necessary element of a nurturing and caring environment.

As with all abuse, some elements of neglect are easier to see than others. A child who is filthy, hungry, thirsty or scared can be identified with little problem. But a child who is grubby might just be a child who loves playing outside and hates baths. But a grubby child might also be a child who has little attention from the adults who are looking after him or her.

Neglect can be difficult to ascertain, but it is something that all of those who work with children need to be mindful of. Even professionals can find it hard to identify incidents of neglect.

What types of neglect exist?

• Physical
  • This is when a child’s basic needs are not met. This could mean that the child is not fed, clothed properly or is unsupervised
• Emotional
  • This is when a child’s basic needs for love and attention are not met by any adult in their life. This might mean that they are ignored, their feelings not considered and their emotional dependence on adults dismissed.It also includes giving a child alcohol or drugs
• Medical
  • This is when medical care and attention is withdrawn from a child. Cases like this are often dealt with by special courts and are usually very complicated and often very distressing.
• Educational
  • This is a failure to educate a child or to provide for  specific educational needs on any level

It is also important to recognise the difference between emotional abuse and emotional neglect. 

Emotional abuse is the deliberate withdrawal of emotional support

Emotional neglect is the failure to give emotional support. This can sometimes be because of the complex needs of the parents, the complex nature of the family unit, or a general withdrawal of interest in the child. Sometimes these cases can occur in families where no other abuse has occurred.

Chronic or ongoing neglect is a term used to refer to an ongoing and continuous failure to provide the emotional and physical support and elements for a child to thrive.

Appalling cases of child neglect have been brought to our attention over many years. These tragedies have led to significant changes in legislation and procedures, but neglect remains sadly more prevalent than it should be, as a result of many factors, including poverty, substance abuse and a lack of parenting skills.

What are the signs of neglect in a child?

Of course, many of these signs can indicate other forms of abuse and a child in need rarely only fits into one category. The important thing to remember is that changes in physical, emotional and behavioural states should make you think carefully about the well-being of a child.

If you have any concerns about a child and suspect that they are suffering from neglect in any form, you must inform the DSL or refer to the social service, or ring 999 if you have any concerns that the child is at imminent risk.