Recognizing and Helping the Neglected Child: Evidence-Based Practice for Assessment and Intervention(Safeguarding Children Across Services)

Neglect is the most common form of child abuse, but recognizing the signs, assessing the family's and the child's needs, and undertaking intervention can be difficult and complicated. This book, based on extensive research of the evidence, outlines how neglect can be recognized, examining the signs that parents give to signal their need for help, and the signs that a child's needs are not being met. It then covers how practitioners should respond, including assessment, planning, and appropriate interventions. The authors examine whether practitioners are well-equipped to recognize child neglect, and whether professional responses to help could be swifter. Finally, the prevention of child neglect is considered, and a proposal for a public health approach and early intervention is outlined. The book includes case studies and makes recommendations for policy and practice. This book will help practitioners to understand better child neglect and to improve practice in this important area. It will be vital for all those likely to encounter child neglect, including child and family social workers, health visitors, teachers with safeguarding responsibilities, nursery staff, and educational psychologists.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements. Foreword. Enid Hendry, NSPCC. 1. Understanding Child Neglect. 2. Signs that Parents Need Support. 3. Signs that Children's Needs are Not Being Met. 4. Responding to Children Whose Needs are Not Being Met. 5. Helping the Neglected Child. 6. Preventing Child Neglect. Appendix 1. Systematic Review Methodology. Appendix 2. Papers Included in the Systematic Review. Bibliography. Subject Index. Author Index.

About the Author :
Brigid Daniel is Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling, UK. She is the co-author of numerous books on child care and protection including Child Neglect, co-edited with Julie Taylor, and Child Development for Child Care and Protection Workers, co-authored with Sally Wassell and Robbie Gilligan, both published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Julie Taylor is Head of Strategy and Development (Abuse in High Risk Families), NSPCC , and Professor of Family Health in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dundee, UK. She has written extensively on child care and protection. Jane Scott currently works freelance on several research and development projects, including the new Multi-Agency Resource Service (MARS) in Scotland, which aims to support practitioners and managers from all organisations working with vulnerable children and families. Previous roles have included Research Fellow at the Centre for Child and Family Research, University of Loughborough and Lecturer in Child Care and Protection at Dundee University.

Review :
One of the biggest strengths to this text is how it sparks the imagination, motivating creativity of response to situations of neglect... I personally was left with the hope-filled message that "it is possible to prevent child neglect" (p.160)and the confidence to believe the necessary systemic change might actually be achievable. This book is strongly recommended for practitioners and as a resource for researchers. This is a well rounded book, supported by many up to date research studies. an excellent book. Indeed the comments made above essentially highlight the importance and complexity of the subject, and the authors rightly identify several areas as meriting more research. Jessica Kingsley are producing quite a flood of interesting texts at present, and they are to commended for publishing this book. [T]his book is a most welcome and timely addition to the literature on child neglect. The authors write with assurance and understanding, recognizing how emotionally draining and professionally demanding the work can be; they also offer a challenge to current thinking and practice. This is a must-read book for all those whose work brings them in contact with neglected children, for their managers and those responsible for their training and education. The book includes brief, helpful summaries of different interventions.. The small size of the book is encouraging for busy practitioners and it lends itself to 'dipping in and out' rather than reading cover to cover. The authors use extensive sources, which are clearly referenced and cited throughout. The text is consistently well-presented and adequately supported by relevant tables and figures... The 'case studies' are realistic and helpfully illustrate the main content of each chapter, while the 'activities' boxes are thought-provoking and encourage reflection on practice. Also helpful are the 'key messages' at the end of each chapter, which succinctly summarise the main points. This book does broadly achieve its aims to challenge practitioners to reflect on practice and values.