This piece of work will focus on child neglect and will give a clear and precise understanding of relevant legal issues, appropriate theories and safeguarding practise. Unlike physical or sexual abuse, in which specific abusive acts are directed towards a child, neglect is typically defined by the absence of provision for a child’s basic needs (Gough, 2005). During the past 20 years, the subject and nature of child neglect has been drawn to the notion that this may impact on a child’s development and mental wellbeing. Neglect has been called the ‘Cinderella’ of child welfare topics due to the relative lack of attention the subject has attracted (Tanner and Turney,2006).
How can we define neglect?
The Working Together to Safeguard Children report (2013) defines neglect as persistent failings to meet a child's basic physical and psychological needs, for which could result in the serious consequences of the child's health. In essence, 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); or
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.
It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs.
(Working Together 2013)
Numerous forms of neglect can be found within families and may effect one or more
Neglect has been described as the “most serious type of child maltreatment and the least understood” (Crittenden 1999: 67). It is the most common reason for inclusion on the child protection register in the UK. In the year ending 31st March 2006, 43 per cent of child protection registrations in England related to children considered to be at risk of neglect (Source: DfES, 2006)
In most cases, child neglect can be very difficult to indicate especially if the child never discusses his or her living situation due to the fact that he or she is too young to express feelings unless he or she is being closely observed. According to Crosson-Tower (2010), “… neglect is less dramatic than the
Neglect; characterized as providing inadequate care of a child, such as providing unsuitable supervision, and other basic needs, such as sufficient health care. Other requirements in caring for a child include, but are not limited to providing proper clothing regarding weather conditions, current immunizations and other medical provisions, food and shelter, and a number
Neglect: parents who cannot meet a child’s basic daily needs such as; hygiene, hunger, clothing and shelter. This can cause the child’s health to worsen and for their development to suffer. The child can also be left with people who cannot properly care for them. Signs and symptoms:
Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: â—• provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); â—• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; â—• ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care- givers); or â—• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a childâ€TMs basic emotional
Neglect by others: Neglect is a passive form of abuse in which a perpetrator is responsible to provide care for a victim who is unable to care for him or herself, but fails to provide adequate care. Neglect may include the failure to provide sufficient supervision, nourishment, medical care, or the failure to fulfill other needs for which the victim cannot provide themselves. Neglect can develop into many long-term
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet an individual’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of the individual’s health or development, such as failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing.
health. This includes yelling, depression, name-calling, and lack of affection. Neglect is failure to provide for a child 's physical needs, which includes extreme hunger, lack of supervision, abandonment, and denial of medical attention.
Neglect has happened in the past but it strongly remains in the present. “Nadya Suleman is fighting back against the media’s characterization of her and the claims of child neglect that put the controversial mother of 14 back in the headlines this week” (Abbie Boudreau. ABC News). There are many reasons for neglect; alcohol and drug abuse, inadequate parenting skill, financial difficulties , mental issues, and lack of a support system.
Neglect occurs when a health professional, carer or family member fails to provide the level of support or care that that person needs. This neglect can be deliberate or as a result of ignorance of required standards and practices. Again this neglect can result in the failure to meet the person’s physical, medical, nutritional, educational, emotional or social needs.
Although severe neglect isn't highly prevalent in today's society, it is still an important issue to be discussed. Without knowledge of the outcomes, there will be no motivation to intervene on the child's behalf.
Child abuse and neglect is a public emergency that are in in all parts of the world. These type of abuse is happening to all ages, genders, and race described among both the perpetrators and wounded of abuse and neglect, with no group untouchable. In the year 2000, almost three million American kids were the prey of child abuse and neglect research. There are
With child abuse and neglect being so prevalent globally, it is important to recognize why these types of maltreatment occur and is a relevant topic for all to explore. Many are interested in how child abuse and neglect affect the individuals who are victims as well as the use and efficacy of treatment procedures. Child abuse has serious physical and psycho-social consequences which adversely affect the health and overall well-being of a child. There are long-term consequences of experiencing these forms of maltreatment. Awareness and understanding needs to be brought to this devastatingly common crisis and the advancement of child abuse and neglect prevention needs to be encouraged.
The NCANDS (National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System) classifies child neglect as “A type of maltreatment that refers to the failure by the caregiver to provide needed, age-appropriate care although financially able to do so or offered financial or other means to do so.” ("Child Neglect.")
The issue of child abuse and neglect is serious, controversial, and is escalating in today’s society. Many people are not aware, but child abuse is rampant in our society. Many child abuse and neglect cases go unreported because a person may not know the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect or perhaps the person or person may feel that this is an private issue and needs to be handle with in the home and no outsiders should be involved. Without the proper awareness of child abuse and neglect and the involvement of everyone this issue will continue to raise our eyebrows.