{"id":5367,"date":"2023-01-26T14:17:20","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T14:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/schoolssupport\/?post_type=dcc_docs_document&#038;p=5367"},"modified":"2025-12-16T16:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T16:37:32","slug":"safeguarding-no-1-neglect","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/safeguarding\/guidance-policy-and-tools-2\/safeguarding-one-minute-guides\/safeguarding-no-1-neglect\/","title":{"rendered":"No.1 Neglect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-neglect\">What is neglect?<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#neglect-may-involve\">Neglect may involve:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#emotional-neglect-vs-emotional-abuse\">Emotional neglect vs emotional abuse*<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#who-does-it-affect\">Who does it affect?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-is-it-different-from-other-types-of-abuse\">How is it different from other types of abuse?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-can-school-staff-spot-neglect\">How can school staff spot neglect?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-should-school-staff-do\">What should school staff do?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#further-information\">Further Information<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-69418acccc119\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2023-01-26T14:17:20+00:00\">26\/01\/2023 2:17pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2025-12-16T16:37:32+00:00\">16\/12\/2025 4:37pm<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-69418acccc19f\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/IQCz3ALRfHfmTKg9nycfQM_RAabIDIUvhAHFS0-vA5omsNw?e=Ah28Xn\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>No.1 Neglect (Document)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-size\">171KB<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-neglect\">What is neglect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglect is defined in \u2018Working Together to Safeguard Children\u2019 2018 as \u2018the persistent failure to meet a child\u2019s basic physical, emotional and\/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child\u2019s health or development.\u2019 Nationally it is the most common form of maltreatment in England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglect can be a challenge for professionals to identify as can often be passive and not always by commission but by omission; however that does not mean that neglect should not be addressed and challenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"neglect-may-involve\">Neglect may involve:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical neglect \u2013 lack of shelter, inappropriate clothing, food, cleanliness and\/or living conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical neglect \u2013 the minimising or denial of a child\u2019s illness or health needs (including dental health) and\/or a failure to seek appropriate medical attention or administer medicine and treatment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nutritional neglect* \u2013 not providing adequate calories or nutritional intake for normal growth (failure to thrive). This in extreme cases could be in the form of malnutrition or cases of obesity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emotional neglect \u2013 lack of responsiveness to a child\u2019s emotional needs, including a lack of affection, love and validation, lack of nurture and stimulation, or undermining a child\u2019s self-esteem and sense of identity &#8211; potentially through ignoring, or isolating them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Educational neglect \u2013 failing to provide a stimulating environment or support a child in their school activities.&nbsp; Failing to respond to any special needs, or failing to comply with state requirements about school attendance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of supervision and guidance \u2013 failing to provide an adequate level of supervision (in or out of the home) and guidance to ensure a child\u2019s safety and protection from harm e.g. lack of a stair gate, medication not put out of a child\u2019s reach, child out in the community with no adult supervision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"emotional-neglect-vs-emotional-abuse\"> Emotional neglect vs emotional abuse*<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most experts distinguish between emotional neglect and emotional abuse by intention: emotional abuse is intentionally inflicted, emotional neglect is an omission of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"who-does-it-affect\">Who does it affect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglect can happen at any age, sometimes even before a child is born, and can affect children of all ages. It tends to affect boys and girls equally.&nbsp; Often when a young person is experiencing neglect there may be barriers to them or their families engaging with interventions and support offered or provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglect can have short and long-term effects on a child\u2019s development such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Brain development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Physical health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mental health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Relationships and attachment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It may also lead them to take risk taking behaviour or ignore safety guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-is-it-different-from-other-types-of-abuse\">How is it different from other types of abuse?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Neglect differs from other forms of abuse in that there is rarely a single incident or crisis that draws attention to the family.&nbsp; It is repeated, persistent, neglectful behaviour that causes incremental damage over a period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-can-school-staff-spot-neglect\">How can school staff spot neglect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Staff in education settings are likely to observe a range of signs that a child may be suffering neglect. These could include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A child may routinely present as unkempt, dirty or odorous<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may display poor coping abilities or attention needing behaviour, including acting out \/ aggression \/ impulsivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may display attachment seeking behaviour, with staff or peers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There may be a notable lack of emotional warmth\/engagement from the parent\/carer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may disclose that they are left \u2018home alone\u2019 or that they witness domestic violence\/abuse on regular basis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A child may be very underweight with no obvious medical cause and may take food from other children.&nbsp; They may be obese<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There may be unexplained changes in the child, especially in their behaviour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may repeatedly miss health appointments or treatments, or no appointments may be sought by the carer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may be involved in low level criminal activity, going missing or sofa surfing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may take a dip in their academic attainment or progress, or may always have been academically low, including poor language skills or poor problem-solving skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may low self-esteem and negative self-representations, present as withdrawn or have difficulty in making friends<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The child may be persistently absent from school or have a pattern of absence, including lateness if a child is fending for themselves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may receive reports of the child being out in the locality on their own, or presenting at other people\u2019s houses (beyond what would be expected for their age)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may just have a \u2018gut feeling\u2019, something isn\u2019t right<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to remember that schools\u2019 systems such as analysing attendance, record keeping\/chronologies, seeking medical appointment evidence, parent evenings etc. all have a part to play in identifying and evidencing those persistent or ongoing cases of neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-should-school-staff-do\">What should school staff do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Staff should be encouraged to recognise that their personal values and attitudes could be a barrier in identifying cases of neglect.&nbsp; Think about what you know about the child and what their life might be like, this can be overlooked if a child has always presented in a certain way (it is seen as normal for that family).&nbsp; Talk to other professionals to see if they share your concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the support the school can offer is not achieving an acceptable standard of care for the child, consider what other agencies or services may be able to support the child (Multi-Agency Early Help).&nbsp; The Early Help Co-ordination Centre will be able to advise on this.&nbsp; Use resources such as the Neglect Toolkit, Graded Care Profile alongside the Levels of Need (or your LA threshold tool) to support professional decisions. However, if the risk escalates, or improvement is not seen for ongoing neglect cases, a <strong>Front Door Request for Support<\/strong> should be made, including a chronology of what has been tried and to what effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"further-information\">Further Information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>RESOURCES<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DSCP (Devon Safeguarding Children Partnership)&nbsp;\u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/document\/child-neglect-strategy-2529\/\" rel=\"noopener\">2025-29 DSCP strategy and tool kit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DCC &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.devonscp.org.uk\/document\/lon-indicators-of-need\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Levels of need tool<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>CONTACTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Devon Front Door (formerly known as the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub or MASH):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consultation line &#8211; 01392 388 428&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Main telephone including emergencies or Early Help &#8211; 0345 155 1071<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>E-mail &#8211; <a href=\"mailto:mashsecure@devon.gov.uk\">mashsecure@devon.gov.uk<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Request for Support Form &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/devoncountycouncil.outsystemsenterprise.com\/MASH\/homepage\" rel=\"noopener\">DCC &#8211; Request for support (outsystemsenterprise.com)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children\u2019s Social Care Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): <a href=\"tel:0845 6000 388\">0845 6000 388<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Police (non-emergency): <a href=\"tel:101\">101<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READING<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/1078488\/ALH_SH_National_Review_26-5-22.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">National Review: Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/682dcbf8b33f68eaba9538f2\/Child_Safeguarding_Practice_Review_Panel_Learning_Support_and_Capability_Project.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">2025 Practice Panel Review<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/surreyscp.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SS-CSPR-SSCP-Report-for-publication-13.11.25.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Sara Shariff review<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Please refer to your Local Authority Safeguarding Partnership for specific resources, threshold tools and assessment to support the identification of and the support provided for cases of Neglect.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is neglect? Neglect is defined in \u2018Working Together to Safeguard Children\u2019 2018 as \u2018the persistent failure to meet a child\u2019s basic physical, emotional and\/or [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":748,"featured_media":0,"parent":5639,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-5367","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":[{"title":"No.1 Neglect","file":"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/IQCz3ALRfHfmTKg9nycfQM_RAabIDIUvhAHFS0-vA5omsNw?e=Ah28Xn","file_size":"","unit_type":"KB","file_type":"Document"}],"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-19 18:01:53","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/748"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5367"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34982,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5367\/revisions\/34982"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}