Child Neglect: Talking with children about what helps

Cheryl Burgess, Research Fellow, University of Stirling

Jane Scott, Business Development, WithScotland October 2015

2

Neglect can be far-reaching in its consequences for a child. Not only will the experience of it make a child’s life

miserable but it can affect all aspects of their development. It is also likely to influence the relationships they make with others in both early and later life and have

an impact on how they parent their own children. (Howarth 2007)

Why is neglect important?

3

Why is neglect important?

But fixing the problem can be complex,difficult, disheartening at times and

requires the ability to form relationships and to use research, knowledge and

experience to inform judgements anddecisions which affect people’s lives

Partnership with Action for Children

Action for Children’s on-going, research-based campaign to reduce the numbers of children experiencing neglect

Department of Health and DSFC Safeguarding Children Research Initiative ‘Recognising and Helping the Neglected Child’ (2008)

Neglect Training materials for the Department for Education

UK and Scottish reviews and ESRC Action on Neglect resource pack

Child neglect reviews

The first UK-wide review set a base-line for the broad picture

Followed up with the Scottish extension.

The second annual review (2012/3) revisited

core themes and focused on role of universal services.

Third annual review focusing on children and parents views of how they can best be helped.

Research tools

Target board

Tools don’t have to cost lots of money, but need to be colourful and get children involved in activity

What do children say they need?

‘Some children don’t know they are being neglected

and not ever getting a hug is being neglected. If you’ve

never had one, you just don’t know

‘Love is a doing word’

10

What neglect feels like?

Putting up a pretence

Covering up my feelings

Having no friends

Other kids not realising how hard it is

Losing focus at school and then getting told off

Getting the micky taken out of you, but I blamed myself not my parents

It’s not enough love

My parents not spending time with me

Having to look after your brothers and sisters

Not getting helped with homework

My parents neglecting themselves

Having messy hair and clothes , getting judged for my appearance.

My parents having no control

Who might children go to for help?

UK children (n=1582)

76% said parents’ and carers’

39% said someone else in my family

26% said my friend but several young people said ‘you just can’t tell friends – it’s too big or they have their own issues’

Less than 20% said the police or social work

Where does that leave children experiencing neglect?

Helping

Sometimes it’s easier to talk when doing an

activity such as baking or cooking -

the discussion is not the entire focus then.

Some children are told by their parents not to tell or talk to other adults – so it’s up to the adults who work with children to

notice

I think it’s the adults who need to approach children if they think something’s

not right, it’s not up to the children to approach them. It can be a big

burden for a child to ask for help.

It’s really hard to manage on the money even if you’re

working. If you’re a single parent with one child you

are better off working, but if you have more than one

child you’re not.

Our area is not one which you could let the kids play out by themselves.

One park has a warden, which is fine, but others are strewn with

needles and broken glass and teenagers often use the parks at night. We also have to move into

areas where we don’t have family or friends.

And their families’

Parents’ and young peoples’ views

Interesting differences in how young people and parents viewed neglect

Similarities in what they looked for in professionals

Commonalities whether living in cities, towns or villages

The letters

What young people and parents look for Professionalism: a mix of firmness and empathySomeone who listensAccessibilityHonesty and clarityHope

Finally….

We have devised lots of systems and they can help but it’s individuals who make the real difference, in whatever setting (urban, rural, specialist project or village school...)

Daniel, B., Taylor, J. and Scott, J. (2009) Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature review. London: DCSF.

Francis, K., Chapman, Y., Sellick, K., James, A., Miles, M., Jones, J. and Grant, J. (2012) ‘The decision-making process adopted by rurally located mandated professionals when child abuse or neglect is suspected’. Contemporary Nurse 41(1): 58-69.

National Statistics (2012) Mid-2010 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities. Edinburgh: National Records of Scotland

Neglect training materials http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/safeguardingchildren/childhoodneglect Review reports www.actionforchildren.org.uk Action on Neglect resource pack http://stir.ac.uk//9b

And the last word….