child neglect: talking with children about what helps cheryl burgess, research fellow, university of...
TRANSCRIPT
Child Neglect: Talking with children about what helps
Cheryl Burgess, Research Fellow, University of Stirling
Jane Scott, Business Development, WithScotland October 2015
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Neglect can be far-reaching in its consequences for a child. Not only will the experience of it make a child’s life
miserable but it can affect all aspects of their development. It is also likely to influence the relationships they make with others in both early and later life and have
an impact on how they parent their own children. (Howarth 2007)
Why is neglect important?
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Why is neglect important?
But fixing the problem can be complex,difficult, disheartening at times and
requires the ability to form relationships and to use research, knowledge and
experience to inform judgements anddecisions which affect people’s lives
Partnership with Action for Children
Action for Children’s on-going, research-based campaign to reduce the numbers of children experiencing neglect
Department of Health and DSFC Safeguarding Children Research Initiative ‘Recognising and Helping the Neglected Child’ (2008)
Neglect Training materials for the Department for Education
UK and Scottish reviews and ESRC Action on Neglect resource pack
Child neglect reviews
The first UK-wide review set a base-line for the broad picture
Followed up with the Scottish extension.
The second annual review (2012/3) revisited
core themes and focused on role of universal services.
Third annual review focusing on children and parents views of how they can best be helped.
Research tools
Target board
Tools don’t have to cost lots of money, but need to be colourful and get children involved in activity
What do children say they need?
‘Some children don’t know they are being neglected
and not ever getting a hug is being neglected. If you’ve
never had one, you just don’t know
‘Love is a doing word’
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What neglect feels like?
Putting up a pretence
Covering up my feelings
Having no friends
Other kids not realising how hard it is
Losing focus at school and then getting told off
Getting the micky taken out of you, but I blamed myself not my parents
It’s not enough love
My parents not spending time with me
Having to look after your brothers and sisters
Not getting helped with homework
My parents neglecting themselves
Having messy hair and clothes , getting judged for my appearance.
My parents having no control
Who might children go to for help?
UK children (n=1582)
76% said parents’ and carers’
39% said someone else in my family
26% said my friend but several young people said ‘you just can’t tell friends – it’s too big or they have their own issues’
Less than 20% said the police or social work
Where does that leave children experiencing neglect?
Helping
Sometimes it’s easier to talk when doing an
activity such as baking or cooking -
the discussion is not the entire focus then.
Some children are told by their parents not to tell or talk to other adults – so it’s up to the adults who work with children to
notice
I think it’s the adults who need to approach children if they think something’s
not right, it’s not up to the children to approach them. It can be a big
burden for a child to ask for help.
It’s really hard to manage on the money even if you’re
working. If you’re a single parent with one child you
are better off working, but if you have more than one
child you’re not.
Our area is not one which you could let the kids play out by themselves.
One park has a warden, which is fine, but others are strewn with
needles and broken glass and teenagers often use the parks at night. We also have to move into
areas where we don’t have family or friends.
And their families’
Parents’ and young peoples’ views
Interesting differences in how young people and parents viewed neglect
Similarities in what they looked for in professionals
Commonalities whether living in cities, towns or villages
The letters
What young people and parents look for Professionalism: a mix of firmness and empathySomeone who listensAccessibilityHonesty and clarityHope
Finally….
We have devised lots of systems and they can help but it’s individuals who make the real difference, in whatever setting (urban, rural, specialist project or village school...)
Daniel, B., Taylor, J. and Scott, J. (2009) Noticing and Helping the Neglected Child: Literature review. London: DCSF.
Francis, K., Chapman, Y., Sellick, K., James, A., Miles, M., Jones, J. and Grant, J. (2012) ‘The decision-making process adopted by rurally located mandated professionals when child abuse or neglect is suspected’. Contemporary Nurse 41(1): 58-69.
National Statistics (2012) Mid-2010 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities. Edinburgh: National Records of Scotland
Neglect training materials http://www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/safeguardingchildren/childhoodneglect Review reports www.actionforchildren.org.uk Action on Neglect resource pack http://stir.ac.uk//9b
And the last word….