Neglect
Definition
Neglect is a form of Significant Harm which involves 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 or 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 and clothing, shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment, failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate care-takers, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.
Greenwich Guidance
Neglect is the most prevalent child maltreatment issue in Royal Greenwich. Tackling neglect is a key Greenwich Safeguarding Children Partnership priority. Neglect affects children of all ages.
Wider Resources