Most councils do not know extent of child neglect in their area

Sixty percent of English local authorities do not know how many children in their area are likely to suffer from neglect, according to new research from Action for Children.

According to a Freedom of Information request, the majority of authorities do not have systems in place to measure the scale of the problem, other than collecting statistics on the number of children already receiving help from social services.

Collecting information about early warning signs and children experiencing low-level neglect, rather than only those who already have greater needs, can help councils ensure children and families receive the support they need to prevent crisis and future neglect. Neglect can include failing to feed or clothe a child properly, bullying a child, or leaving them on their own when they are very young.

Action for Children Chief executive, Sir Tony Hawkhead, said: “The tragedy is that due to a lack of gathering the right information, children whose lives could be improved are needlessly put at further risk.

“This is unacceptable when we know more can be done – we cannot allow the suffering of any child. Neglect can be stopped in its tracks.

“Families need help as early as possible so they can make positive changes in their lives, transforming their and their children’s stories by being the best parents they can be.”

While the majority of authorities struggle to collect information on early warning signs, some are starting to build a picture of who may be affected. Some collate information on risk factors such as parental mental health, parent learning disability, substance misuse and domestic violence.

Most local areas fail, however, to join up the dots to understand the effectiveness of plans and services to tackle neglect. For example, 78 percent do not know how many children are impacted by reductions in domestic violence. Without a joined-up, holistic view, children will slip through the net.

Action for Children are calling for a national strategy to tackle child neglect and for local agencies to work together to understand the extent of the problem to plan and deliver services to provide early help for children. According to the Department for Education, neglect is the most prevalent form of child abuse and features in 60% of serious case reviews into the death or serious injury of a child.

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.