Glossary: Neglect

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

(Definition provided by Working Together)