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

Neglect and Serious Case Reviews
The circumstances of children who experience grave neglect which can result directly
or indirectly in death or very serious harm, appear to be somewhat different at various
age related stages. Considering the experience of neglect for children along a broadly
developmental continuum can help to frame each child’s experience as an individual.
This is particularly important in large families when the needs of the children in a
family may tend to be considered more as a sibling group than individually. Similarly,
although understanding broad developmental norms and expectations provides the best
way to gauge the impact of neglect on the individual child, each case is unique and each
child’s experience of neglect transcends their age and developmental stage. There is no
substitute for knowing the child well.
maiNtaiNiNg a healthy eNviroNmeNt
Not all children experiencing severe neglect were receiving specialist help nor were their
families making sure children took up available universal services. Where professionals
were involved their interventions were not always effective. The evidence from this
study suggests that one important way for these children to stay safe was to be more
physically and emotionally healthy and for their living conditions to be safe and healthy.
For this to happen there needs to be a safe living environment as a basic precondition for
a safe relationship between children and their caregivers. This reinforces the need for
decent living conditions for all children and families across the income spectrum. It also
reiterates the importance of both early and late stage help, for children of all ages and
not just the youngest. However, serious case review findings underline the vulnerability
of the youngest babies, especially in their first six months of life.
messages for decision makers, policy makers, practitioners and managers
• A public health approach offers good opportunities for prevention. This includes
continued emphasis on the importance of basic health promotion messages about, for
example, suicide prevention, accident prevention and the risks of sudden unexpected
deaths in infancy (SUDI). SUDI risks include cigarette smoking and a potentially
hazardous sleeping environment, like sofa sharing with an adult who has recently
consumed alcohol or narcotics, or a baby not having their own cot or Moses basket
(Blair et al 2009).
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• Substandard accommodation combined with lapses in parental supervision can be
life threatening and result in drowning, fire or accidental poisoning. Targeted support
for families known to be vulnerable, including where children experience neglect,
can help to prevent accidents (Reading et al 2008).
• Vulnerable adolescents with a long history of neglect and rejection can rarely thrive
living alone in isolated, poor quality accommodation and may dangerously neglect
themselves. They need a safe, supportive environment and protected routes to
adulthood and independence.