Strategy launched after years of increasing reports of child neglect

Thursday 17 March 2022

The Islands Safeguarding Children Partnership is launching a Child Neglect Strategy for the Bailiwick today.

The multi-agency strategy emphasises a responsibility to identify the early signs of neglect to improve the life chances of young people.

The percentage of local children who have been registered with neglect as the category of harm has been increasing for several years - up from 21% in 2016 to 38% in 2020.

In England, the percentage of children subject to a protection plan where the main reason is neglect has also been increasing and reached 50% for 2020.

Neglect is one of the most prevalent forms of abuse and is found to have a significant impact on the physical, emotional, educational and social wellbeing of children.

Several elements contribute to neglect, including the mental health of parents, substance misuse, poverty and domestic violence.

Sarah Elliott, who is the independent Chair of the Partnership, claimed a large amount of work has already taken place prior to unveiling the strategy.

Pictured: Reported rates of neglect remain lower in the Bailiwick than in England but they have been increasing in recent years.

Ms Elliott said the effects of the pandemic – such as reduced social contact and strains on families’ budgets - are likely to have increased “the risk of children being neglected”.

“Although there are pockets of excellent practice in Guernsey, Alderney and Herm, more needs to be done to make sure the islands' children are seen, listened to and helped at an early enough stage to prevent them being neglected.

“The strategy emphasises the multi-agency responsibility to identify the early signs of neglect so that support can be provided to improve the life chances of all children.”

The effects of early-life neglect include poor mental and physical development, attachment issues, increased risk-taking and weak relationships. 

 Pictured: The strategy identifies multiple risks which stem from neglect, acknowledging the effects on young people, parents and carers. 

The strategy states that front-line professionals who work with families will be trained to use an assessment tool which has been evaluated by the NSPCC.

The various physical and emotional needs of any child will be clarified before an assessment of the quality of how each need is met in each case. Resources can then be targeted to where the core concerns are found.

Locals are being reminded that they can also assist as they may notice early signs that a family is not coping if a child looks frequently sad, has poor hygiene, appears hungry or is inappropriately dressed for the weather.

The strategy has prioritised prevention, intervention and working together as part of its multi-agency approach to the issue, placing children at the centre of the plan.

A public-facing campaign to generate greater awareness of neglect and its impacts has been recommended for this year.