Persistent Neglect Essay

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and / or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Severe neglect of young children is associated with major impairment of growth and intellectual development. Persistent neglect can lead to serious impairment of health and development and long-term difficulties with social functioning, relationships and educational progress. In extreme cases neglect can lead to death.

Children require the provision of care to be consistent and appropriate to the age of

It may involve conveying to the child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate or valued only so far as they meet the needs of another person.

It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of a child. Some level of abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a child, though it may be present on its own.

The following may indicate some of the signs of emotional abuse:

• Continuous withholding of approval and affection by the parent / carer

• Discipline that is severe and inappropriate or which is non-existent with few or no boundaries set

• Exploitation by the parents/carer to fulfil their needs.

• Impaired ability for play and enjoyment

• Lack of curiosity and natural exploration, air of detachment

• Persistent head banging or rocking in a younger