Neglect (A Level 3 Course)  

Course Outline

A one day course focussing on the definitions, prevalence, racial and cultural issues and difficulties in assessing neglect. It will consider the impact of neglect on children and approaches to working with families where neglect is a feature. Information on current research findings, lessons from enquiries, national and local guidance will also be discussed.

Aims and Objectives

• To assist participants in understanding the various types and presentations of neglect
• To discuss the impact of neglect on children in the short and long term
• To highlight lessons from enquiries and issues for practice in this filed.
• To promote a multi-agency response to working with families where neglect is a feature
• To assist participants in utilising existing tools to assess and measure potential for change
• To discuss difficulties in effecting change across agencies within procedural time constraints

Learning Outcomes – at the end of this course participants will:

• Understand the nature and impact upon children
• Consider evidence based practice in relation to neglect
• Consider ways to assess and measure the potential for change and time scales for effecting change
• Consider the difficulties which neglect presents in multi-agency working

Target Staff

This course is designed for staff who provide services for children including those who are looked after or particularly vulnerable i.e. disabled children. Participants should be involved with child protection as part of their work and must have completed the Child Protection Practice and Procedures course prior to attending.

Trainers

Stephanie Bailey, Child Protection Advisor, PCT

Related Common Core of Knowledge and Skills

Child and young person development

Understand how babies, children and young people develop

• Know that development includes emotional, physical, intellectual, social, moral and character growth, an know that they can all affect one another
• Appreciate the different ways in which babies and children form attachments and how these might be achieved

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children

Communication, recording and reporting

• Undertake (formal or informal) assessments and be alert to concerns about a child or young person’s safety or welfare, including unexplained changes in behaviour and signs of abuse or neglect.

Relate, Recognise and take considered action

• Understand that signs of abuse can be subtle and be expressed in play, artwork and the way children and young people approach relationships with other children and/or adults.
• Understand the key role of parents and carers in safeguarding and promoting children and young people’s welfare and involve them accordingly, while recognising factors that can affect parenting and increase the risk of abuse (for example domestic violence).

Multi-agency working

Communication and teamwork

• Work in a team context, forging and sustaining relationships across agencies and respecting the contribution of others working with children, young people and families.