The Neglect of Adolescent Neglect

1. The Neglect of Adolescent Neglect Mike Stein Research Professor

2. Child maltreatment, including neglect, not just something that happens to young children 9000 young people aged 10-17 the subject of a child protection plan, more than those under-1, similar to 5-9 age group More neglected teenagers than those physically, emotionally, sexually abused New registrations of neglected teenagers greater than registrations for other forms of abuse in younger age categories Neglected teenagers can suffer greatly � quarter of serious case reviews; 10% over 16 Context: why is it important?

3. Research project, funded by DfE (DCSF) Partnership between York University, The Children�s Society and NSPCC An international research review - Neglected Adolescents: A review of the research Neglect Matters - a guide for young people about neglect, and; Neglect Matters - a guide for multi-agency professionals working together on behalf of teenagers The Neglect of Adolescent Neglect

4. The Research Review and Guides address similar questions: What is adolescent neglect? What are the causes? What are the consequences? What can I do about neglect - what interventions work with young people? The Neglect of Adolescent Neglect

5. �Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child�s basic and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child�s health or development. Neglect � may involve a parent or carer failing to: Provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment) Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers) Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child�s basic emotional needs.� (HM Government, Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2010) What is adolescent neglect, officially?

6. �Neglect is when parents ignore you � or leave you and you get hurt � and you have no one to turn to �when you don�t get fed properly�I was underweight, my skin was dead pale� (young people�s comments) �All of my work with teenagers is about trying to rectify neglect of some sort� (Professional view) What is adolescent neglect?

7. Themes from Research Review Neglect an act of omission? Can be an act of commission Neglect and being a teenager Developmental issues, Core Assessment Records Neglect being culturally specific Vary according to culture, but caution is needed and attention to healthy development What is adolescent neglect?

8. Themes from Research Review Defined by acts of carers, or experiences of young people? Take into account different perspectives, young people under-estimate neglect Neglect seen as persistent state Patterns over time important, impact of acute and chronic neglect Neglect, emotional abuse, overlap with maltreatment Impact and consequences for young person What is adolescent neglect?

9. What are the causes of adolescent neglect? �Young people think its their fault, so they go along with it.� Assessment Framework Child Neglect Research Family History and functioning Domestic violence Mental health Young, lone parents Wider family Low support Employment, housing Unemployed, lower income income Social integration Less cohesion, poor attachments Community resources Less integration

10. Disabled young people Higher rates Communication difficulties Being isolated, less regular services What is result of disability or neglect? Looked after young people History of neglect Physical, emotional, education Assessment, quality care, attachments, continuity Thinking about: the causes of neglect for specific groups of young people

11. Young carers May increase risk of neglect Drawn into caring � than being cared for Lack of support at key developmental stages Lack of supervision and boundaries � greater risks and problems Parental problems Mental health, substance and alcohol abuse Increase emotional unavailability Young people physically and psychologically alone Thinking about: the causes of neglect for specific groups of young people

12. Evidence linking adolescent neglect with negative outcomes in relation to Every Child Matters Every Child Matters Practice Issues Being healthy Poor mental and physical health, risky sexual behaviour Staying Safe Running away from home, substance abuse, bullying Enjoy and achieve Poor school record Positive contribution Getting into trouble Economic wellbeing Cumulative effects into adulthood What are the consequences of adolescent neglect?

13. �Most young people can�t tell anyone they�re neglected� Primary prevention Schools, PSHE, citizenship, colleges Youth services � positive activities Families - �Authoritative� parenting Authoritative � high control, high warmth Neglectful � low control, low warmth Parenting for teenagers courses? What can I do about adolescent neglect?

14. �Professionals value working together towards the same goal, good practice should be talking to each other� Secondary intervention Empowering young people � friends, guides, information Informal responses Common Assessment Framework and integrated working Targeted Youth Support What can I do about adolescent neglect?

15. �I think that parents do not always have help, and could have had a difficult time themselves.� Tertiary interventions Little UK literature on evaluated interventions on teenage neglect The Assessment Framework Adolescent support teams Implications of child neglect interventions What can I do about adolescent neglect?

16. Tertiary interventions Research suggests ecological, multi-faceted approaches Seeing adolescents within network of interconnected systems Encompass individual, family, community � peer group, school, neighbourhood Cognitive-behavioural approaches, MST � positive results What can I do about adolescent neglect?

17. Overcoming the odds, coping, recovery Response to adversity, disadvantage, problems Associated with individual qualities, parenting, social networks, schools, communities and cultures The journey travelled by young people, their whole lives Not celebrity but �ordinary magic� What can I do about adolescent neglect: promoting resilience

18. �I could talk about my problems, I was loved.� Quality parenting � �authoritative� Attachment, stability, continuity Positive sense of identity Health and well-being Support in education What can I do about neglect: promoting resilience

19. Assessing skills and abilities of young person Identifying both �care� and �educational� needs Clear arrangements for early interventions, when problems arise at school Arrangements between schools, mental health services and children�s social care for assisting young people with problems What can I do about neglect: promoting resilience

20. Sharing and agreeing definitions of neglect Understanding the causes of adolescent neglect Links with AF Specific groups of young people Understanding the consequences of neglect Every Child Matters outcomes Identifying the responsibilities of different agencies Enablers of inter-agency working Exploring what interventions may assist neglect adolescents Primary, secondary and tertiary interventions Multi-faceted approaches Promote resilience? Adding up adolescent neglect � what are the main implications?