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 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 and decisions 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 empathy Someone who listens Accessibility Honesty and clarity Hope

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): National Statistics (2012) Mid-2010 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities. Edinburgh: National Records of Scotland Neglect training materials hildren/childhoodneglect hildren/childhoodneglect Review reports Action on Neglect resource pack

And the last word….