References
Barriers to health visitors identifying child neglect
Abstract
Child neglect poses a significant issue in the UK with enduring repercussions for the health and wellbeing of children. Health visitors are responsible for safeguarding and promoting child welfare and play a pivotal role in identifying and addressing neglect, but a multitude of barriers can hinder this. This article explores the complex landscape of health visitors identifying child neglect, outlining the significance of early intervention, with a particular focus on health visiting in Scotland. Challenges faced by health visitors are examined, including organisational barriers, family/carer disguised compliance, and varying professional thresholds for when to intervene. The importance of leadership support, enhanced training and clear thresholds in safeguarding work are highlighted. The concept of ‘respectful uncertainty’ is advocated as an approach for health visitors to navigate the challenges they encounter when protecting and promoting the wellbeing and safety of children in the UK.
Children who face neglect have a high risk of negative outcomes in adulthood, including engaging in neglectful behaviours towards their own children (Bartlett et al, 2017; Avdibegović and Brkić, 2020). The responsibility for identifying and safeguarding children lies with education, social care and health professionals. Reporting concerns to relevant services for assistance can help to address this (Hood et al, 2016), with prevention a more effective approach than intervention (Rooke, 2015; Glasgow Child Protection, 2022).
Health visitors support interventions from birth to pre-school, and play a crucial role in identifying children at risk of neglect (Scottish Government, 2012; Coles et al, 2016; Peckover and Appleton, 2019). Nonetheless, there are many barriers to identifying and safeguarding these children, both in the workplace and households in which they live (Jarrett and Barlow, 2014).
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