ISLE OF WIGHT SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD Launch of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Neglect Strategy 2016 Kathy Marriott, Area Director, Isle of Wight Council, Children’s Services

Why does neglect matter? Nationally neglect is the most prevalent presenting issue for contacts with children’s social care. Neglect is predominant factor in serious case reviews where a child has died or been seriously injured. Neglect creates lasting damage and has long term consequences Our collective ability to recognise and understand the impact of neglect is essential www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

Definitions of neglect NSPCC (2014) “A persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and or developmental needs. Neglect includes failing to provide for a child’s health, education, emotional development, nutrition, clothing, shelter, safety and safe living conditions and includes exclusion of the child from home and abandonment” www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB Working Together 2015 The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment) protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care givers) ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of or unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional needs. www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

Aims and objectives of the neglect strategy The aim of the neglect strategy is to tackle the causes and effects of neglect in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Objectives; To strengthen local responses in line with current national and local guidance, policies and good practice To adapt, rather than duplicate, existing guidance, policies or procedures to tackle neglect To raise awareness and improve the safeguarding duty of all relevant agencies with regards to neglect www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB Scope Adult Services Ambulance Service Animal Welfare Groups Clinical Commissioning Groups Community CAMHS Community Rehabilitation Company Dentists District and Borough Councils Education – early years, primary, secondary, post-16, special schools, independent Environmental Health Faith Groups Fire Service General Practice Hampshire Constabulary Housing National Probation Service NHS England NHS Trust Providers Opticians Town and Parish Councils Youth Offending Teams www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB Strategic priorities PRIORITY 1: GOVERNANCE To provide a robust strategic framework for the delivery of an effective range of interventions to tackle neglect in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight. PRIORITY 2: PREVENTION To improve awareness, understanding and recognition of neglect as maltreatment across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. PRIORITY 3: INTERVENTIONS To improve the effectiveness of interventions to tackle neglect PRIORITY 4: EVALUATION To monitor progress in reducing the risk of neglect in the population www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

Principles of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Neglect strategy Develop a whole family approach and ensure it is owned by all stakeholders. Be outcome focussed Develop a shared understanding Building resilience Risk management www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

Factors contributing to neglect A number of factors are commonly present in the lives of children experiencing neglect. These factors should not be viewed as causing neglect in all circumstances, but, whether in isolation or combined, these elements can provide early indication of the potential for neglectful care of a child: Mental health – one or both parents has mental health problems. Substance misuse. Domestic violence – unstable and abusive relationships. Low income – the family has low income (below 60% of the median). Material deprivation – the family cannot afford a number of food and clothing items. Cycles of neglect and the adult caregivers’ experience of poor parenting as a child. Worklessness – no parent in the family is in work. Housing – the family lives in poor quality and/or overcrowded housing. Qualifications – no parent in the family has any academic or vocational qualifications. Illness/disability – at least one parent has a limiting long-standing illness, disability or infirmity. Poor parental functioning (including learning disabilities). Social isolation. Low self concept or esteem. www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

Useful guide to recognising neglect www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB Forms of neglect Emotional Disorganised Depressed/Passive Severe deprivation Each form of neglect is associated with different effects on both children and parents/carers and has implications for the type of interventions required. www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB Local picture www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB

How will we know if we are making a difference? Reduction in the incidents of neglect while acknowledging that figures may initially rise (due to better recognition and awareness) particularly at early help levels where neglect is a feature Reduction over time in the number of children subject to a child protection plan due to neglect/incidents of neglect in comparison to our statistical neighbours Reduction in the number of repeat referrals to children’s services post child and family assessment where neglect is a feature Improvement in school attendance Percentage of early help assessments where neglect has been identified as a factor Percentage of referrals to children’s services for reasons of neglect Percentage of children subject of a child protection plan for reasons of neglect Number of children not brought (<16 years) or not attending (16-17 years) medical, including dental, appointments Average length of child protection plan for neglect at point of closure (in months) Number of crimes recorded for neglect www.iowscb.org.uk www.twitter.com/IOWSCB