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A new strategy for safeguarding children in Jersey from neglect has been published today, after reviews highlighted hundreds of child protection cases relating to persistent failures to meet their physical and emotional needs.
The Safeguarding Partnership Board's (SPB) 'Multi-Agency Child Neglect Strategy' sets out a plan to help those working with young people to identify and support those at risk of developmental issues as a result of neglect.
The new strategy comes after previous inspections and reviews have highlighted that more needs to be done to make sure the Island’s children are seen, listened to and helped.
It also comes against the setting of the pandemic, where it was noted that additional stressors on families, reduced social contacts and pressures on household budgets has added to the risk of children being neglected.
Pictured: Safeguarding Partnership Board Chair Sarah Elliott said the strategy will "help ensure front line staff can spot the early signs of neglect."
Speaking about the data on children currently suffering from neglect in Jersey, Chair of the Safeguarding Partnership Board, Sarah Elliott told Express that there are nearly 700 child protection cases open to children's services and around 60% of those cases - around 420 - relate to children who have experienced neglect.
"Now the vast majority of those 700 children actually, their families just need a lower level of support, what we often call 'Early Help', but around just over 40 of those children are subject to more serious neglect, and actually those children are subject to a child protection plan because of neglect," she said.
Emphasising a need for agencies to work together, the new strategy is made up of three priorities:
The strategy says that it is "important all professionals have an understanding of the local picture of neglect, with a common language and understanding of neglect thresholds."
It says it will help identify the problem and response through a quarterly outcome-based data captured by the board, and understanding each agencies' threshold for action.
A "recognition that organisations need to demonstrate commitment to identifying and responding to neglect, where professional curiosity, challenge and appropriate escalation of concerns is the norm."
The report outlines that this priority should "improve recognition, assessment and response to children and young people exposed to neglect, before statutory intervention is required, including the appropriate use of assessment tools and to empower families to respond to children’s needs."
This includes an 'Early Help' response to the recognition of neglect.
The strategy also arms frontline staff with a new 'toolkit' to help identify neglect, and make professional judgements about when parenting is neglectful, and uses the Graded Care Profile 2 launched in 2020.
Additionally, staff will be given specialist 'Jersey's Children First' training.
Ms. Elliot also spoke about how the community can be involved too: "This is not just about professionals, because tackling child neglect requires a community response.
"So voluntary organisations and islanders themselves can play their parts by spotting signs of neglect. So for example, it might be a child that always appears hungry, or perhaps a child that they're worried about because they look very sad all the time or maybe they're not dressed appropriately for the weather - and obviously that's very mindful at the moment with the cold snap we're having.
"Or perhaps a young child that seems to be left at home alone. All of those things can be a sign that actually those parents are not coping and that child is not thriving, and in those circumstances we would want members of the public to pick up the phone and speak to the Children and Families Hub."
Video: Part of the toolkit uses the Graded Care Profile 2, which is being regularly revised by the NSPCC.
Chief Minister Senator John le Fondré said: "I would like to thank Sarah Elliott and the committed professionals from across the Island who have shared their understanding of the complexity of neglect and helped us get to this point.
"This strategy, supported by robust oversight and effective supervision, will help professionals recognise neglect early and effectively respond to, help, and protect Jersey's children and young people."
The Children's Commissioner for Jersey, Deborah McMillan said "I welcome the launch of this neglect strategy, especially at a time when the pandemic has worsened the situations that many vulnerable families find themselves in.
"It is really important to have in place this kind of framework to help professionals get the best results in their efforts to support families who are struggling."
Ms. Elliott further added: "All families come under pressure from time to time. Although many parents are able to provide loving care for their child during difficult periods, increased or continued stress can affect how a parent can look after their child.
"This new strategy will help ensure front line staff can spot the early signs of neglect so that early support can be provided before a child suffers serious or long-lasting harm."
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