Neglect: Introductory Session

Neglect remains one of the most widespread and damaging forms of child harm, occurring when a child is not adequately cared for or kept safe. It often develops gradually, making it harder to identify early and allowing cumulative harm to build — the slow, compounding impact of unmet needs on a child’s health, development, and wellbeing.

Nationally, neglect continues to be the most common reason for children being placed on child protection plans, and research shows that early opportunities to intervene are frequently missed. This can leave children experiencing long periods of unaddressed harm, with the severity of neglect increasing over time.

Here in Newcastle, the NSCP has identified neglect as a key local priority due to its recurrence in audits, learning reviews, and frontline practice. As we launch this programme of events, we will explore different aspects of neglect, strengthen our shared understanding, and focus on improving our multi‑agency response to prevent cumulative harm and ensure children are safe, supported, and able to thrive.