Issue - meetings

The Board was presented with Halton’s Neglect Strategy 2017-18, a copy of which was appended to the report.

The Neglect Strategy (the Strategy) had been developed under Halton Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) and was a multi-agency document which outlined the definitions and responses to neglect and the background and prevalence to neglect in Halton.  The Strategy was accompanied by a multi-agency action plan which detailed how agencies and partners should identify and respond to neglect and how HSCB would scrutinise and monitor the impact and effectiveness of the Strategy.

The six classifications of neglect that had been identified were discussed: medical neglect, nutritional neglect, emotional neglect, educational neglect, physical neglect and lack of supervision and guidance.  It was highlighted that neglect affected children of all ages, not just small children and that there was usually a contributing factor to neglect, as discussed in the Strategy.

The following queries were made during consideration of the paper:

Was there a definition of ‘good enough care’ or an ‘eccentric family’?

There is clear evidence about what constitutes good enough care; in assessing a family who may be ‘eccentric’ the issue was what the impact was on the child and if their basic needs were being met.

Taking cultural values into consideration could be difficult?

Yes, however social workers used tools to assist them when dealing with cultural differences, plus they received equality and diversity training.  It was important though that a social worker was able to challenge a family with a different cultural background, if they felt a child’s basic needs were not being met.

What was being done in schools to recognise neglect?

The HCSB ran courses for Governors of schools and i-cart offered support to them as well.  Recently some funding was made available to recruit two experienced staff whose job it was to assist schools and offer support and guidance in cases of suspected neglect.  A document had been produced around recognising neglect and this would be sent to Members.

RESOLVED:  That the Board receives and endorses the Strategy.