Understanding Child Neglect and Medical Neglect: A Comprehensive Overview
Child neglect, including medical neglect, is a serious form of child abuse that involves failing to meet a child's basic needs, such as proper healthcare. This article delves into the definitions, examples, and scenarios of neglect, shedding light on the devastating impact it can have on children's well-being. Learn about the signs, consequences, and responsibilities associated with safeguarding children from neglect.
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Safeguarding Children and Medical Neglect
Overview Introduction Neglect Medical Neglect Scenario Case Study Preparation and Responsibilities
Child Abuse Deaths UK An average of 58 child deaths by assault or undetermined intent in a year (last 5years) On average, at least one child is killed a week in the UK. Most likely age group to be killed by another person is under one year, followed by 16 to 24year olds. Most commonly caused by the child s parent or step-parent; adolescent deaths are more commonly caused by a stranger, friend or acquaintance National Society for Prevention of cruelty to Children (NSPCC) 2021
Neglect Neglect
Definition. Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse2. A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or health care. This can put children and young people in danger. And it can also have long term effects on their physical and mental wellbeing. NSPCC, 2022
Definition A child isn't given proper health care or allowed to access health care. This includes dental care and refusing or ignoring medical recommendations.
Cases Seen22/23 Neglect in specialist paediatrics diabetes, asthma, CF, HIV Was not Brought to appointments Not listening to specialist advice
Scenario Mother, Liz presents to your practice with her three children - Adam, Anne and Nathan (3, 2 and 1) saying that they are homeless and she does not know what to do. They have attended your practice previously, so she knew where the hospital was and knew that someone there might be able to help her. They have slept overnight in department. Liz says that they have a social worker who is supposed to be helping them with housing, but she doesn t feel she is getting any help at all.
Adolescent safeguarding Risk assessments You can find the risk assessment on the Safeguarding Children intranet page. Understand H home E education A activities D depression /suicide D drugs/Alcohol S sexual activity Support Respect Teens in Hospital Speak about 5 years time. Collaborate Communicate Complete more than once, if applicable.
Case Study Summary of case: 12yr old boy who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and is under our specialist diabetes team. He has been admitted to us on one occasion (9days) and subsequently seen in outpatients on a number of occasions. Social Hx: Moved around different boroughs and addresses and is currently under our. He has again moved location to another LA without the appropriate transfers of care being made due to mother not preparing and providing us with key information. Lives with mother alone, no siblings or other vulnerable people living in the household. Disclosures of various traumas made by mother in a variety of meetings. Mother is known to police for a variety of concern and child has been previously open to different social care assessments. Father is not present in meetings but is referred to by child s mother as 'Mr. P' in meetings. It is still unclear as to his involvement and I have not seen him during admission or in meetings. We are aware from of domestic abuse concerns previously.
Other key features Last HbA1C was HbA1c 69 mmol/mol. The national average in England and Wales is 61mmol/mol. In our observations most young people in the first year of diagnosis have a value between 48 and 61 mmol/mol. Was due for a repeat of this marker and was not brought to this appointment. Health therefore have no update on this, or his blood glucose levels which continues to be of grave concern, given his last abnormal reading. Police have had to attend to support access to his insulin as mother was withholding it. Non-attendance of his recent outpatient appointments Mother does not continuously believe in his diabetes diagnosis, and has sent solicitor's letters to the Trust refusing treatment recommended by specialist health professionals. Mother's denial is not of a reasonable person, and her views are extreme in nature (thinking we are wanting to put a monitoring chip in, experiment on her child etc). Mother's research is not evidence based and again extreme in nature. No mental health diagnosis at present. Mother's aggression towards Trust staff. Mother has moved out of his borough with no transfer arranged for his health, education or social care follow ups. What should you do if you suspect that someone is a victim of any of this type of abuse?
Escalation of the Case This case is currently under sec 47 investigation with police and social care under the Childrens Act. Child was placed under a CP Plan with LA Child was a Missing Person for a significant period of time. There is no reason to stop another move occurring from current location Despite the above child remained not having an appropriate health assessment of his diabetes (which is still a relatively new diagnosis) At this point a number of strategy meetings occurred, legal planning meetings and other CP meetings and still he has not progressed to having appropriate health professional assessment or access to his specialist health team.
Summary of Concerns Child is at risk of significant harm if his health needs continue to not being met. Child is at further risk of disappearing from professionals viewpoint due to his history demonstrating relocations and mother has changed her named on several occasions. Child is out of education
Preparation of Cases Chronology Reasonable steps taken to refer, engage and coordinate Share information Speak with Safeguarding lead at practice Discuss with your designated doctor GP National Network May lead to professional meetings, strategy dep on risk. Never give up when challenging
