Many children in Scotland live in situations where they are neglected by the people responsible for looking after them. Because these adults are not able to put the needs of their children first, their children may not have a safe place to sleep, be given comfort when they are upset or be shown love and affection that helps them feel good about themselves.

 

Neglect affects children very deeply and the feelings and behaviours children develop when they are neglected can last a long time – even into adulthood.

 

All adults have a responsibility to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. Staff in contact with families work hard to help parents understand and meet the needs of their children so that families can stay together safely and children can be raised in homes where they are well cared for, loved and protected.

 

In Ayrshire, protecting children from abuse and neglect is a top priority.

 

North, East and South Ayrshire Child Protection Committees recognise the risk that neglect poses to local children and young people, and the challenges faced by staff in dealing with these types of concern.

 

In response, a Pan-Ayrshire Child Protection event focussing on child neglect was held, bringing together 100 staff from different organisations in order to share knowledge and work together to improve how we help families experiencing difficulties that can lead to child neglect.

 

Independent Chair of South Ayrshire Child Protection Committee, David Cumming, said: “Children who experience neglect from their early years often continue to be affected by these experiences through difficulties in adolescence which can impact on their achievement and wellbeing in adulthood.

 

“The Child Protection Committees in North, East and South Ayrshire recognised the importance of early identification of neglect, and how professional services can jointly succeed in ensuring that for some children, these early life experiences can be mitigated through an emphasis on nurturing our children, and helping their parents to achieve what is best for them.

 

“The child neglect event brought together a cross-section of professionals from a wide range of services. They heard about national initiatives and services, and in a series of workshops, developed and shared understanding of how we will aim to further improve on existing strong partnership working to benefit our most disadvantaged children.”

 

Following this successful event, North, East and South Ayrshire Child Protection Committees are continuing to work together to deliver follow up learning and development opportunities for staff. By learning together we can improve how we respond to concerns about child neglect and, in doing so, help our most vulnerable families provide the care and support children need.