Neglect is the most common form of child abuse nationwide.  Find out how Barking and Dagenham are trying to tackle the impacts of neglect.

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023’ defines neglect as:

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. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

• provide adequate food, clothing, and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
• protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
• ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers)
• ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
• provide suitable education

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Neglect is a key priority for the Barking and Dagenham Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP). Neglect has featured in almost every serious case review and partnership review in Barking and Dagenham in recent years.

The following web pages will provide Barking and Dagenham professionals with tools, advice and guidance to be able to effectively deliver in their roles to tackle the impacts of neglect on babies, children, young people and their families, as well as for professionals working with vulnerable adults.