'Neglect – ignore at their peril; supporting evidence-based assessments and interventions with children and families.'

In England and Wales over 28,000 children were subject to a child protection plan under the category of neglect by the end of March 2016 (Department for Education 2016). Neglect continues to represent the most recognised form... [ view full abstract ]

In England and Wales over 28,000 children were subject to a child protection plan under the category of neglect by the end of March 2016 (Department for Education 2016). Neglect continues to represent the most recognised form of abuse in children and young people and yet only 1% of children self-reported neglect in 2015 (‘Hurting Inside’ NSPCC 2015).

  Obstacles to working effectively with neglect include the failure to

·         account for the missing and neglected ‘voice’ of children and young people;

·         identify pervasive neglectful processes;

·         identify when persistent unmet needs of the child become enduring developmental failures.  

·         appreciate the range of factors and processes past and present that can impact on children’s development: including cumulative harm; social, economic and environmental factors which can prevent a parent perceiving a child’s growing needs

·         appreciate that early focussed work can avoid later more intensive involvement when remedial work may be more challenging

This workshop introduces evidence-based practice and training resources (Bentovim et al 2009, Thomas 2014, Pizzey et al 2015) which enhance practitioners’ assessment and analysis in cases of neglect. This includes identifying:

·         indicators of neglect;

·         risk factors likely to increase the likelihood of harm and future harm;

·         strengths and actual or potential unmet need;

This workshop also introduces three recently published intervention guides: Engagement and Goal Setting (Bentovim, Gray & Heasman 2017), Promoting Positive Parenting (Roberts 2016) and Promoting Children and Young People’s Health, Development and Wellbeing (Bentovim 2017) designed to enhance practitioners’ capacity to deliver interventions and measure outcomes.

These are evidence-based resources (with briefings, direct work guidance, worksheets) that enable practitioners develop bespoke, targeted programmes of work with parents and carers. They have been shown to be effective in an early pilot study across five agencies in England (Gray, Bentovim & Heasman 2017).