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Neglect

Awareness of child neglect and its consequences on the future well being and development of children has increased during the last two decades.  It is notoriously difficult to define and research shows that it often co-exists with other forms of abuse and adversity. It is also the most common reason for child protection plans 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. 

Effects of Neglect
Apart from being potentially fatal, neglect causes great distress to children and leads to poor outcomes in the short- and long-term. Possible consequences include an array of health and mental health problems, difficulties in forming attachment and relationships, lower educational achievements, an increased risk of substance misuse, higher risk of experiencing abuse as well as difficulties in assuming parenting responsibilities later on in life.  The degree to which children are affected during their childhood and later in adulthood depends on the type, severity and frequency of the maltreatment and on what support mechanisms and coping strategies were available to the child.

Strategic Aim
In Oxfordshire we aim to ensure early recognition of neglect and improve agencies responses to children effected to guarantee an improvement in the short and long term outcomes for children and young people.

Oxfordshire's Prevention, Intervention and Management of Neglect Strategy

Criteria for Complex 'Stuck' Case Planning

This process seeks to deliver a flexible and holistic, multi-agency response for children and young people who have identified multiple needs, whose planned outcomes are not being achieved despite the best efforts of the inter-agency core group and for whom risks are increasing. Sometimes defined as 'stuck' cases.

In relation to  Neglect cases this is for children with a Child Protection Plan, which have had a plan for more than 18 months and where the area service manager has reviewed the case but remains concerned about the absence of progress due to gaps in provision/lack of a specialist assessment.

Nominations should go through  Katie Crooks, administrator, on katie.crooks@oxfordshire.gov.uk    

Neglect Toolkit

Neglect Conference
On Wednesday 15th July 2010 Oxfordshire hosted a multi-agency conference "Don't Neglect Neglect". Over 175 delegates from a variety of agencies attended on the day, sharing their knowledge and expertise on this difficult topic.

The Papers for the day can be found on the links below:

 

Safer today - better tomorrow
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