Neglect prompts - practitioner help supporting families

Try the following:

• Use the Assessment Care Tool (ACT)
• Be clear – use language that can be understood not just verbally but in plans and assessments too
• Work with the family to compile a chronology
• Think of creative ways to discuss the issues you are concerned about
• Produce individual cards with a concern written on each one. Ask the family to prioritise them. Leave them with the family to think about
• Ask the family why they think you are visiting and use their response as a springboard to talk about issues
• If you have been involved with the family for a long time and you feel that when you talk about issues you are no longer making an impact try and visit with a colleague to produce a new way of talking about the same things
• Be clear and concise using language that is straightforward. Consider using visual prompts

Try the following:

• Share chronologies between agencies – build a multi- agency chronology
• Use this to review the multi-agency plan
• Establish whether there is any pattern to a decline or triggers that can be identified
• Consider the impact on the child of reoccurring neglect without change and the seriousness of this
• Be clear about the outcomes sought for the children
• Be mindful to use the same criteria with disabled children

Try the following:

• Reflect on concerns in relation to the child and parent and the effectiveness of the current plan. Is it the right plan? Are they the right outcomes? Are we clear with parents what we expect of them? Have we checked that parents understand what we are saying?
• Discuss your concerns with your line manager, supervisor or safeguarding within your organisation
• Work with the team around the family to produce a multi-agency chronology to identify what needs to happen next. This may include a referral to the Children’s Resources Service (CRS) or a review of a CPP for example.
• Ask for the review of the plan to be brought forward

Use tools/resources to organise concerns If you remain concerned for a child’s safety please look at the ESCALATION policy.