Child neglect cases can present professional challenges greater than those in other forms of ill treatment and abuse. Though there is growing evidence that the impact of neglect on a child's development and wellbeing can be as profound and sometimes more enduring than other forms of abuse, the signs and consequences are often less immediately apparent. This means that decisions about when and what action should be taken may be highly contentious.
However, the publication of two new reports, one by the charity Action for Children and the other by Ofsted, reaffirms what we have learned from recent high-profile serious case reviews; that neglect is often a pivotal factor in the serious injury or death of children.
Action for Children's report Child Neglect: The Scandal that Never Breaks calls for a new government strategy to tackle child neglect. The report conveys children, young people and parents' perspectives about what helps them utilise support from different agencies. Social workers surveyed identified a range of barriers to effective intervention in cases of neglect. Often mentioned were a lack of resources, high intervention thresholds, poor links between adults and children's services, and (to a lesser extent) a lack of professional expertise.
http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/apr/02/early-intervention-child-neglect
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