In addition to other forms of abuse, children and young people entering out of home care may also have been subjected to neglect in their previous home situations. Serious neglect has a profound impact upon a child or young person’s developmental wellbeing.
It is essential that foster carers and Care Teams provide an environment of understanding, trust and flexibility that can carefully meet the care needs of these children and young people.
What is Child Neglect?
Neglect is when a child’s essential needs are not met, placing the child at risk of significant harm. A child suffering neglect may not be receiving sufficient love, food, shelter, clothing, hygiene, education, health care, access to friends and access to culture and community.
Other types of neglect include not being adequately supervised, not exposed to developmental opportunities and stimulation, such as play, or not being protected from harm.
A child may be suffering neglect if they are denied care, attention, nurturing and affection - essential to healthy childhood development.
In some cases, child neglect can be fatal or cause life-long disabilities and problems. Neglect can occur to children and adolescents of all ages but has higher risk for life threatening or life altering impacts for babies and young children. (Child neglect | Berry Street)
Signs of Neglect - Examples
Child or young person appearing underweight, presenting as always hungry or begging for/ hoarding food.
Child or young person’s clothing appearing inadequate or inappropriate for weather conditions, or clothing that is so dirty or smelly that it could affect their health and wellbeing.
Child or young person presenting poor physical hygiene and appearing consistently dirty and unwashed.
Child or young person experiencing frequent absences from, or regularly being late to, school.
Child or young person commenting that they are often home by themselves and assuming parental tasks such as organising meals for themselves and siblings.
Parentified behaviour towards younger siblings.
Child or young person being left without adult supervision for long periods of time at home or in other places.
Child or young person presenting with frequent illness, untreated sores or injuries that don’t seem to heal, severe nappy rash, other untreated medical and dental problems.
Young children not meeting developmental milestones when there is no underlying medical issue.
Child or young person exhibiting poor communication skills, delayed development for their age.
What is Cultural Neglect?
Under the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, children and young people have the right to enjoy their identity and culture, to maintain and use their language, and maintain their kinship ties to members of their community.
Cultural neglect occurs when connections to kin and culture are not established and maintained for children and young people residing in out of home care. This is especially important for First Nation children and young people who continue to be over represented in the out of home care system. Culture is intrinsic to identity and the development of self-worth hence the loss of these connections has lifetime impacts and implications for children and young people’s adult wellbeing.
Consequences of Neglect
The impact of neglect upon children and young people is far ranging and, if not addressed appropriately, can have lifelong effects upon physical, emotional, and mental health, cognitive development and functioning, and interpersonal relationships.
Strategies
Foster carers and their Care Team need to address the care needs of children and young people with flexibility and reassurance when managing behaviours caused by the particular neglect experienced.
In addition to specific therapeutic interventions, children and young people need their carer to work at the child’s pace, setting routines and limits but still understanding that problematic behaviours require patience and tolerance. If a child is hoarding food, for example, reassure them that food is always available to them rather than restrict this behaviour. If an upset child’s behaviour appears regressive to their age, interact with them at that emotional level rather than expecting them to “act their age”. (Supporting Maltreated Children: Countering the Effects of Neglect and Abuse - The North American Council on Adoptable Children (nacac.org)
It is essential to have realistic expectations of the child or young person in your care. The immediate and ongoing effects of neglect require ongoing patience and consistency to meet their physical and emotional needs effectively.
Acknowledgement:
The FCAV appreciates the advice provided by Annette Jackson that assisted with the production of this Information Sheet. Her study on neglect can be found at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/10775595231171617?src=getftr
