Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director People (Item 4a attached) in respect of the Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) Neglect Strategy (Item 4b attached).

The following representatives were welcomed to the meeting:

Mel John-Ross, Service Director – Children’s Social Care & Safeguarding, BMBC

Deborah Mercer, Head of Children & Family Social Care, BMBC

Nina Sleight, Head of Early Start, Prevention & Sufficiency, BMBC

Laura Hammerton, Family Centre Development Manager, BMBC

Alicia Marcroft, Head of Public Health, BMBC

Julie Keen, Social Worker, BMBC

Alison Wilkinson, Social Worker, BMBC

Angela Fawcett, Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children and Looked After Children, NHS Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Cllr Margaret Bruff, Cabinet Spokesperson for People, BMBC

Deborah Mercer introduced this item, explaining that the Neglect Strategy ‘Neglect Matters’ has been developed by safeguarding professionals in partnership with the NSPCC and provided an update on the progress made since the implementation of the strategy as well as the future plans in relation to this area of work.

In the ensuing discussion, and in response to detailed questioning and challenge, the following matters were highlighted:

Effective consultation took place with the NSPCC, the Equality Forum and Children, Young People and Families prior to the launch of the strategy as neglect is everybody’s business.  The voice of the child is always captured so that their experience of living with difficult circumstances and possible neglect is at the forefront of the assessment and any intervention.  Each child is spoken to individually. 

Barnsley has adopted the use of the Graded Care Profile version 2 (GCP2), which was developed by a GP, to support the assessment of neglect experienced by a child or within a family.  The tool uses a ‘traffic light’ system looking at a wide range of topics such as quality and quantity of food, cleanliness of the home and general appearance.  If an assessment comes back as 'red' this is passed on to social care for action.  'Amber’ and ‘green’ cases are passed on to Early Help or universal services.  The tool also identifies qualitative outcomes (which are continually measured) such as duration of help, length of time children are in receipt of services and how entrenched long term neglect cases are handled to prevent re-referral.  The multi-agency Neglect Sub-group is continually checking and further developing outcomes. 

In terms of communities, work is ongoing with families through the Early Help offer delivered in Family Centres to address neglect using a strength based approach, not punitive measures.  Barnsley is fortunate to have strong communities where this approach works well.  In addition, BMBC has worked with Rowlands Pharmacy who have promoted the neglect strategy in local chemist shops.  Councillors and Area Councils can help to spread the message through using their knowledge of their local communities to share understanding of the impact of neglect and use of the strength based approach.  Neglect is a complex multi-generational problem, encompassing poor education, family/parenting, isolation, domestic violence, substance misuse and mental health.  Poor mental health can have a significant impact on parenting.

There is a need to develop open and honest relationships with families so that they are able to disclose what is happening within the family and to enable correct support to be put in place to help them.  Lots of promotional activity takes place in family centres, such as tooth brushing clubs etc. so that people are able to recognise when they need help.  

There is a rolling programme of training to ensure the message is spread far and wide.  Training is always well attended.  To date 400 professionals have been trained to use the GCP2 tool and to understand the impact of neglect.  Schools are involved in continuous promotion and there are champions in all agencies.  The GCP2 enables parents and carers to see what is working well and what needs to change in a non-punitive way. 

It was highlighted that there is a correlation between poverty, deprivation and likelihood of neglect.  Work takes place with the family to look holistically at circumstances and possible root causes of neglect, which are often complex and can include income, benefits, housing situation, work readiness, parenting skills and budget management.  Plans developed alongside the family to address such issues can lead to a real positive impact on the daily experience of children within their families and long term positive outcomes. 

The report highlighted that there has been an increase of 33% in the numbers of children subject to a Care Protection Plan (CPP) due to neglect.  The numbers of care proceedings where the primary issue is neglect have also increased.  It was pointed out that this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the Neglect Strategy has a role to promote identification of the need for Early Help so it was expected that numbers would increase initially but that once early help is put in place the number of children taken into care will reduce because cases are picked up earlier and dealt with at an early stage. 

Each organisation is responsible for carrying out its own assessments (although joint assessments also take place) and identifying champions and trainers.  In family centres, support workers have regular supervision and their work is overseen by a Manager as part of the team around the family.  South Yorkshire Police treat cases of neglect as seriously as those relating to physical or sexual harm to children and joint investigations are carried out.  If there is evidence of extreme neglect, criminal charges may be brought. 

In terms of ‘hidden’ neglect – for example, within middle class families where there are no obvious signs of potential neglect, the holistic assessment using the GCP2 will also look at things like controlling behaviour, emotional neglect, attachment, ‘cold’ parenting and chastisement.  The child who is subject to assessment is always seen alone and will also be observed in various settings (including education) so that a full picture of the child’s life can be captured and a plan put in place to address identified issues

No additional resources are needed to tackle neglect as work is underway with families anyway.  If parents don’t engage and don’t consent to social care involvement where this is deemed necessary, child protection proceedings may commence.  However, this is rare as parents often understand what is happening and social workers are persistent and work through other family members and other professionals such as Health Visitors.  Berneslai Homes in particular are a strong advocate for the neglect strategy and use the GCP2.  Parents are often receptive to Early Help services as they recognise they need help.  Cases are closed when progress has been made and all actions within the plan completed. 

RESOLVED that: 

(i)            Members note the report,

(ii)          Witnesses be thanked for their attendance and contribution, and

(iii)         An All Member Information brief to be arranged regarding the Graded Care Profile and associated thresholds.