Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

2.3. Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

• Is frequently absent from school
• Begs or steals food or money
• Lacks any required medical or dental care, immunisations, or glasses
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odour
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• States that there is no one at home to provide care
• Shows sudden changes in behaviour or school performance
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home

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Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child
• Seems apathetic or depressed
• Behaves irrationally
• Is suspected of abusing alcohol or drugs
• Shows little concern for the child
• Denies the existence of, or blames the child for, the child's problems in school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or as an inconvenience
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
• Looks primarily to the child for their own care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs

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Other signs of neglect may also be seen in the relationship and behaviours between adult and the child:

• Rarely touch or look at each other
• Consider their relationship entirely negative
• State that they do not like each other

(Blackpool Council iPool, 2024)