Neglect is now recognized as leading to significantly poor outcomes for children in the short and long term. It is a matter of concern for all professionals who work with children. Children who are neglected are not likely to seek help in their own right and are highly dependent on professionals such as health visitors and schoolteachers identifying and responding to their needs for support and protection.In order to carry out the key tasks of prevention, recognition and response to neglect, practitioners require up-to-date evidence-based information about the aetiology and signs of neglect and what works in prevention and response. This book addresses the key themes in child neglect, draws on current research and practice knowledge and sets out the implications for practice. With a joint health and social work focus, this interdisciplinary book is an essential resource for practitioners, academics and policy makers working towards integrated and collaborative childcare services.

Foreword, Olive Stevenson, University of Nottingham. 1. Introduction to Issues for Health and Social Care in Neglect, Brigid Daniel, University of Dundee. 2. Economic, Cultural and Social Contexts of Neglect, Nick Spencer, University of Warwick and Norma Baldwin, University of Dundee. 3. Research for Practice in Child Neglect, David Gough, Social Science Research Unit, University of London. 4. The Nature of Emotional Child Neglect and Abuse, Brian Minty, University of Manchester. 5. Is this Child Neglect? The Influence of Differences in Perceptions of Child Neglect on Social Work Practice, Jan Horwath, University of Sheffield. 6. Working Together in Cases of Neglect: Key Issues, Olive Stevenson. 7. Neglect: No Monopoly on Expertise. Helen Buckley, University of Dublin. 8. Common Operational Approach using the `Graded Care Profile' in Cases of Neglect, Om Prakash Svrivastava, Consultant Community Paediatrician, Janice Stewart, Child Protection for Luton and Bedfordshire and University of Luton, Richard Fountain, Luton Social Services, and Patrick Ayre, University of Luton. 9. Serious Case Reviews: Lessons for Practice in Cases of Child Neglect, Renuka Jeyaraja Dent, NCH - The Bridge, and Christine Cocker, Middlesex University and NCH - The Bridge. 10. What is Weight Faltering (`Failure to Thrive') and When Does it Become a Child Protection Issue? Charlotte M. Wright, University of Glasgow. 11. The Theoretical and Practical Issues in Attachment and Neglect: The Case of Very Low Birth Weight Infants, Gill Watson and Julie Taylor, University of Dundee. 12. Parental Substance Misuse and the Implications for Children: Lessons from Research and Practice in One Family Centre, Moira Walker, University of Stirling and Mary Glasgow, Service Manager. 13. Neglect of Disabled Children, Margaret Kennedy and Jane Wonnacott, Independent Trainers and Consultants. 14. Who Cares? The Role of Mothers in Cases of Child Neglect, Danielle Turney, Open University. 15. Do They Care? The Role of Fathers in Cases of Child Neglect, Brigid Daniel and Julie Taylor. 16. Intervening with Neglect, Geraldine Macdonald, Commission for Social Care Inspection. 17. Neglect in Theory and Practice: The Messages for Health and Social Care, Julie Taylor and Brigid Daniel. Appendix One: The Outline Format for Comprehensive Assessment. Appendix Two: Worksheets. The Contributors. The Contributors. References. Indexes.