Neglect and serious case reviews (PDF, 735KB) - nspcc

event prompting the Serious case review:
The review was held because of Frazer’s suicide in the context of a history
of long-term neglect and severe maltreatment. At the age of fifteen Frazer
had been discharged home from residential care because of persistent
running away. He was living at home, and although still on a care order,
was getting very little support at the time of his death.
background to the family and case:
Frazer was the oldest of three half siblings and was ‘on and off’ a child
protection plan from the age of five because of neglect, physical and later
suspected sexual abuse. He started to run away from home at the age
of ten and by the beginning of adolescence he started to harm himself
seriously, misuse substances (drugs and alcohol) and to talk of suicide.
Frazer’s behaviour at school and at home was described as ‘unruly’ and, from
the age of thirteen, ‘threatening and violent’ including the use of weapons,
which prompted numerous exclusions from school. When he moved into
foster care at age 13, he ran away repeatedly and experienced numerous
placement breakdowns. He was in and out of care regularly but return
home was never successful because he was always rejected by his mother.
Frazer’s mother experienced depression and low self esteem and had
been subject to domestic violence over many years from different partners
including Frazer’s father (who died when his son was five). There had been
serious concerns since Frazer’s birth about his mother’s parenting ability.
Her own history was one of severe abuse and neglect. After his father’s
death, Frazer had a number of step father figures, the most recent of whom
had been a heavy drinker, with convictions for physical assault. Domestic
violence was a recurrent feature of Frazer’s home life.
types of neglect experienced:
From an early age Frazer attempted to look after himself and his siblings.
Domestic violence (and the emotional neglect and abuse associated with
this) as well as intermittent rejection formed the backdrop to his childhood.
Frazer felt responsible for keeping his siblings safe even when he was in
care and they were still living at home.
what it was like to be a child in this family:
3. A thematic analysis of neglect
As he matured and entered adolescence the effects of many years of neglect
and abuse at home became apparent in Frazer’s behaviour. His responses
typified those of young people with similar experiences where his
feelings switched between hostility and aggression, and fear and helplessness.
Frazer’s lack of trust in others and need to feel in aggressive control
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