New research by Action for Children shows that early intervention can help significantly reduce the number of children living in neglect.
Researchers from the University of Salford were commissioned by the charity to work with a number of their community-based services across the UK to evaluate the impact of support to children who were being neglected or at risk of neglect.
The study followed 85 families from when they were first referred to Action for Children to when their case was closed.
In many families children were not adequately supervised by their parents, had no routine and boundaries, were living in unhygienic conditions and were not clothed adequately.
However, with support from regular home visits, practical guidance and a tailored programme of parenting support, families were able to turn the situation around.
In eight out of ten cases Action for Children interventions succeeded in reducing the level of concern about neglect and preventing it from developing.
In six out of ten cases, concern about neglect was completely removed.
David Derbyshire, head of performance improvement at Action for Children said, ‘Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in the UK, and we have seen time and again through our services that intervening early can prevent issues within families spiralling out of control and being perpetuated through generations.
‘The research revealed that not only did our services make positive differences for children but also that those changes were down to early help provided by workers committed to supporting vulnerable parents over time and to challenging parents to deal with the root causes of neglect.
‘It is critical that all support services around children continue to work together to ensure the most vulnerable children and young people are protected and identified as early as possible.’
The study followed 85 families from when they were first referred to Action for Children to when their case was closed.
In many families children were not adequately supervised by their parents, had no routine and boundaries, were living in unhygienic conditions and were not clothed adequately.
However, with support from regular home visits, practical guidance and a tailored programme of parenting support, families were able to turn the situation around.
In eight out of ten cases Action for Children interventions succeeded in reducing the level of concern about neglect and preventing it from developing.
In six out of ten cases, concern about neglect was completely removed.
David Derbyshire, head of performance improvement at Action for Children said, ‘Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in the UK, and we have seen time and again through our services that intervening early can prevent issues within families spiralling out of control and being perpetuated through generations.
‘The research revealed that not only did our services make positive differences for children but also that those changes were down to early help provided by workers committed to supporting vulnerable parents over time and to challenging parents to deal with the root causes of neglect.
‘It is critical that all support services around children continue to work together to ensure the most vulnerable children and young people are protected and identified as early as possible.’
