Child Neglect: Effective Strategies and Impact Analysis
Delve into the depths of child neglect, exploring its prevalence, contributing factors, impacts on children, and the urgent need for intervention. Learn what works and what doesn't in tackling this critical issue to protect vulnerable children.
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Presentation Transcript
Tackling Child Neglect What Works? & What Does Not? Lynne Peyton Child Care and Management Consultant
Outcomes Develop insight into the lives of neglected children Really get the consequences Stop doing what does not work Do more of what does work Identify the blocks/beliefs that hold us back Commit to doing it differently
Why? Definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result Einstein Neglect starts as an illness and it becomes a disease Jim Rohn
Children First (1999 & 2011) Neglect is:- an omission of care which results in a child suffering significant harm or impairment of development
Why do we need to focus on Childhood Neglect ?
Neglect Prevalance and Consequences Most commonly reported form of maltreatment Happens in families of all sizes compositions & cultures Consequences are devastating for children, communities and nation
Contributing Factors Irish cases - Peyton 2013 Alcohol Misuse Drug Misuse Domestic Violence Total Families Total 56 26 43 96 The Toxic Triangle
Impact on Children Current Effects Miserable / unhappy day to day life Poor physical, emotional & mental health/delayed development Disrupted education/problems in school Damaged self esteem/self perception/self worth Accident prone /vulnerable to abuse
Impact on Children Longer term impact Socially isolated/stigmatised Poor coping strategies - anger/self harm High risk of alcohol/drug misuse Alternative care inc. Special Care Criminal activities/detention Reduced job prospects/life prospects Intergenerational factors
What does not work ? Not responding early enough Inadequate/incomplete assessments Over reliance on family support No model/unevaluated models Interface Family Support /CP not clear
What does not work? Prioritising parents v children s rights Not engaging with/ listening to children Lack of focus on children s needs Start again syndrome Drift cases opened and closed; on/off CP system
What else does not work? Long term voluntary care Lengthy legal proceedings costly in time, energy and morale often damage relationships Short term Care Orders Create massive uncertainty High levels of inappropriate contact Disrupts attachment
Case Example 1978 Known for years Filthy House - Mice and rats No heat Children dirty and smelly Poor school attendance No stimulation Poor supervision children running wild Eventually admitted to care
Case Example 2016 Reported in Belfast Telegraph Known for years - opened/closed 5 & 6 year old wore nappies to school Children dirty and smelly House filthy -Dog faeces everywhere Children s toenails curled under feet Poor stimulation Eventually admitted to care
Governance issues Role of senior managers??? Thresholds too high for:- Allocation to SWs Child Protection Conferences Removal Legal Intervention Care Orders Reducing Contact
What works? Prompt, full, transparent risk & needs assessment Working effectively with both parents/ wider family SMART plan fs/cp Early cognitive assessments Regular & frequent review -action
What works? Ensuring parents are clear on expectations Follow through on services/therapies Measuring progress specifically what improved? Family Welfare Conferences
What else works ? Taking concerns of other professionals seriously Seeing chronicity based on social history & chronology of past events Identifying supports early genograms
What else works ? Calling time on chronic neglect Applying thresholds consistently Informed legal action evidence collated, assessments completed, care plan clear Confident oral evidence/respect Child centred judicial judgments
CaseStudy 1 GP referral Mother drove children while drunk 8 year h/o alcohol abuse admitted for treatment SW met dad agreed need for protective action Investigative interviews all children -fear, emotional abuse and neglect
FWC - Realistic Plan Mum to remain out of home Attend community addiction services Consent to share information Counselling for children Schedule for supervised visits Key factor SW familiar with research on collusion/resistance in families characterised by alcohol dependency. Kept focus on children
Case study 2 Young parents 3 small children Referred by PHN re range of concerns / failure to thrive 9 month baby- weight low, devt slow 2 year old - not walking 4 year old limited speech, outside unsupervised No stimulation/bonding
Case conference Confirmed neglect Comprehensive assessment Multi agency plan/reviewed monthly Marte Meo work by CCL - catalyst for change & guided work of FSW Evidenced based weight gain, playschool attendance/ home standards
Case Example 2- Outcomes Trust between worker/mum Relationship between mother & all 3 children improved Increased confidence increased skills Feedback loop essential Father came on board All 3 children increased weight/height Blossomed
Neglect in Foster Care Believe in the possibility See bedrooms Expect high standards See children inside and outside the home Challenge appropriately Overcome limiting beliefs - find alternatives
Common Challenges identified in Serious Case Reviews -UK Resistant and unwilling parents Intimidating and threatening parents Workers not knowing/engaging fathers Issues re building trust and listening to children Avoiding collusion with parents and carers Overcoming the rule of optimism Adult services - clients are parents - harm to children must be assessed
Agency/Departmental Context Adequate staffing trained/mentored and supervised -retained Effective governance at all levels which identifies, tackles & resolves challenges Effective interfaces between statutory children s services/Courts New legislation family courts/specialist trained judges
Recommendations Peyton 2013 Training & Mentoring SWs & GALs Implications of neglect on children s emotional & physical development Attachment theory & models - CARE Parental functioning assessments -model Rapport, Trust & Social Work Role Report writing & presenting evidence Realistic & child centred permanence planning
Recommendations Inter Departmental/Inter Agency Dialogue Multi Agency Forum eg COAC Independence / Regulation of GALs Collate International Research into Attachment/Contact Research outcomes of unsuccessful CO applications what happened next?
Aspire to Mastery You must be able to correct yourself without invalidating or condemning Accept results and improve on them. Correct, don t protect. Correction is essential to power and mastery. Stewart Emery
Challenge for all professionals Make a decision today to change your practice and do things differently Step up for neglected children in Ireland Come from your heart as well as your head
Support & Training For more information on tackling child neglect and to obtain copies of my Audio Book or eBook go now to www.lynnepeyton.com For support with individual cases or audits of practice Email: lynne@lynnepeyton.com
