Neglect as Child Protection: the Political Context and the Practical Outcomes

SUMMARY: This paper identifies the central tensions and contradictions in relation to current policies and practices for child neglect. It demonstrates how these arise directly from the political context of the work and how this has changed over recent years. In the process children, their parents and the professionals concerned are left vulnerable and potentially exposed. It concludes by suggesting how we can reframe policy and practice in this area of work and outlines some practical steps that can be taken as a result.