Neglect
What is Neglect?
As defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 Neglect is:
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
What to do if you think a child is suffering from neglect
If you have concerns about a child in Surrey who could be suffering from neglect contact Surrey’s Children’s Single Point of Access on 0300 470 9100 or call 999 in an emergency.