Neglect
Neglect is often one of the less understood forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual and neglect) and can be very hard to identify.
LGfL is building a range of resources, support and training led by a new colleague who is a neglect expert. Bookmark this page (neglect.lgfl.net) as we will soon be adding new material, and let us know where you would like support. If you missed our newsletter on neglect, you may wish to sign up.
Scroll down for our new training courses, reflective questions and our blog to shape your practice, as well as recommended CPD resources.
New training courses
Our neglect expert will be offering a new two-hour session every month to help you upskill in this key area which we expect will be accentuated by the current cost-of-living crisis.
The course is ideal for new or experienced DSLs, helping them to understand, identify and evidence neglectful care, exploring what neglect looks like, its impact and how to better identify it.
NEW: we have now added 4 new 'shorts' courses (see below) on specific areas of neglect to help explore the issues further (we recommend you first attend the Introduction course).
Head to safetraining.lgfl.net to book on a course today!
What does neglect look like?
Neglect is often characterised in a particular way, but it is important to remember that there are very distinct forms of neglect. It could be:
A young child who is not bathed or fed enough, living in cramped housing and sharing a bed with two other siblings
A 14-year-old with everything they could wish for materially and physically, but given little love, warmth or interaction from parents
A disabled child whose parent/carer doesn’t follow prescribed medical advice to meet their dietary requirements or who is very negative towards and about their child
A 9-year-old who is morbidly obese due to high calorie intake, where parent/carers do not follow the dietician’s advice to reduce the child’s weight
How can I better identify and respond to neglect in a school setting?
These key questions may help you reflect upon the effectiveness of your practice. Click to download it from our posters collection.
You can also read more in our blog post 'Neglect & Poverty: Successfully identifying & recording concerns'
Neglect resouces
We will be creating and signposting to more resources throughout this year, but here are some excellent resources from other organisations which will support your work now with neglect: