Author: Lauren Harrington2

Neglect Practice
Guidance Toolkit

Neglect Practice Guidance
In Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees, neglect is central to and dominates much child protection activity . Neglect is complicated but it is a form of abuse, and it can be just as damaging as physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Neglect is difficult to define, but Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) defines it 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. It may occur during pregnancy, for example as a result of maternal substance abuse, however 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 care-givers)
ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment (e.g. dental neglect can result in serious harm)
be responsive to a child's basic emotional needs
Legislation and Standards
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
Children and Families Act (2014)
Children’s Act (2004)
Children’s Act (1989)
Child Abuse and Neglect NICE Guideline (2017)
Child Maltreatment (2009)

Tools and Resources for Professionals
Working with Neglect

Tees Practice Guidance

Neglect Framework and Practice Guidance
Neglect Tool
Child’s Chronology Guidance and Template

Capturing Lived Experience Resources

A Day in the Life of a Child Booklet
All About Me Booklet
All About Me Direct Worksheets and Activities
Always, Sometimes, Never
Always, Sometimes, Never Cards—Early Years Child
Always, Sometimes, Never Cards—Primary School Child
Always, Sometimes, Never Cards—Teenager
Always, Sometimes, Never Cards - Child with SEND
Teen Organisation Guide
Teen Star Flash Cards
Teen Star Questions
Teen Star Chart
Teen Star Quiz
Signs of Safety Tool—Fairy
Signs of Safety Tool—Wizard

Neglect Awareness Resources

Neglect Awareness Leaflet

National Learning

NSPCC Learning: Neglect—Learning from Case Reviews