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Signs of Neglect or Abuse - Maryland Department of Human Services

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Reporting child abuse and neglect is everyone’s responsibility. Children need us to pay attention to some of the common signs of possible child abuse or neglect. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, please call the local department of social services in your area. Potential Signs of Physical Abuse A child Read the Rest…

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For more information on neglect and its effect on children, click here.
Knowing the signs of neglect can help to give a voice to children. Any child can suffer neglect, although some may be more vulnerable than others. When families go through a tough time (e.g. experiencing relationship problems, financial hardship, poverty, mental health issues, addiction to drugs or alcohol), parents or carers may struggle to maintain a loving home for their child. Children more vulnerable also include children who are born prematurely, have a disability or have complex health needs, are in care, or are seeking asylum.

Neglect can be very difficult to notice as having one of the signs doesn't mean that a child is experiencing neglect. You might be able to tell that there is a serious problem if a child display multiple signs over an extended period of time.

Signs of neglect include:

Being frequently absent from school

Inappropriate clothing (e.g. shoes too small, clothes are ill-fitted or unsuitable for the weather conditions)

Clothes are consistently dirty or smelly

Being hungry

Hands are cold, red and swollen

Unkempt appearance and poor hygiene; hair quality is poor or is messy, teeth are dirty, skin dirty

Lacking necessary medical or dental care, including immunisations or glasses

Missing medical appointments

Health problems, including anaemia, body issues, poor muscle tone or prominent joints, regular illness of infections, repeated accidental injuries (often cause by lack of supervision), skin issues (e.g. sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies, ringworm), thin or swollen tummy, weight or growth issues, untreated injuries

Developmental problems, including poor language or social skills

Frequent and untreated nappy rash in infants

Being constantly underweight or considerably losing weight

The parent or carer has failed to keep the child protected from physical harm or danger

Begging or stealing things like money or food

Living in an unsuitable environment (e.g. no heating, messy)

Being left home alone for long periods of time

Taking on the role of a carer for other family members

Changes in behaviour, such as becoming clingy, aggressive, withdrawn, depressed or anxious, displaying obsessive behaviour

Changes in eating habits

Using drugs or alcohol

Self-harm or attempts at suicide

The Graded Care Profile: A Neglect Assessment Tool

The Graded Care Profile (GCP) is a widely used neglect assessment tool used by social workers to assess whether a child is at risk of neglect. The GCP helps to measure the quality of care being given to a child in respect of four domains of care:

The tool, adopted by Dr Leon Polnay and Dr O P Srivastava (Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust and Luton Borough Council), gives an objective measure of the quality of care delivered to a child by grading against each domain, taking into consideration the effort and commitment shown by the parent or carer.

The GCP tool allows for areas of concern to be identified so that the family or carer can be supported appropriately.
Neglect Strategy
Click herefor the NSPCC's information and guidance on neglect.

If you are concerned about a child, please contact Front Door For Families on 01273 290400, FrontDoorForFamilies@brighton-hove.gov.uk , or use their Online Referral Form .

If a child is in immediate danger, you should contact the police by calling 999.

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For more information on neglect and its effect on children, click here. Knowing the signs of neglect can help to give a voice to children. Any child can suffer neglect, although some may be more vulnerable than others. When families go through a tough time (e.g.

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What does it mean

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Neglect can be hard to spot. We've got advice on the types and signs of neglect and what you can do if you're worried about a child.

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Reporting child abuse is everyone's responsibility

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-3738. Our team will be available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are hearing or speech impaired, call Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2466 (voice) or 1-800-735-2966 (text).

If you are mandated by law to report child abuse and neglect, you can make a report online. We encourage mandated reporters to make a report online when possible to keep the hotline open for the general public.

Who can make a report?

Anyone can report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Missouri Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline. Certain people are mandated reporters, meaning they are mandated by occupation to report any concerns.

You can remain anonymous when making a report, but we encourage you to consider identifying yourself. Being able to contact you later helps the Children's Division staff complete a more thorough investigation. They may also need to ask you for more information during the investigation process.

What information will I need when I call?

When making a report, be sure to have the following information:

Name of the child

Name of the parent(s)

Name of the alleged abuser

Where the child can be located

You will also be asked to describe your concerns and for any other helpful information you can provide.

What if I'm not sure it's abuse or neglect?

Err on the side of over-reporting. If you have the thought, "Maybe I should call..." - DO! Not all calls to the hotline are determined to be abuse/neglect. However, the Children's Division can often provide services and assistance that can help families prevent abuse or help the family in crisis.

School Resources

* Note: To print the poster, your printer must be able to print an 11"x 17" document.

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Children's Division | Missouri Department of Social Services

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If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-392-3738. Our team will be available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are hearing or speech impaired, call Relay Missouri at 1-800-735-2466 (voice) or 1-800-735-2966 (text).

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Case Studies of Child neglect: Rehabilitation and Recovery

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Case Studies of Child neglect: Rehabilitation and Recovery

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Child neglect case studies | Rehabilitation and Recovery

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neglect is the most commonly mentioned form of abuse reported to helplines by people who are concerned about a child’s welfare.

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Neglect Subtypes, race, and poverty: Individual, Family, and Service Characteristics 

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Neglect Subtypes, race, and poverty: Individual, Family, and Service Characteristics 

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Neglect Subtypes, Race, and Poverty: Individual, Family, and Service Characteristics

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Recent child maltreatment research has highlighted the very different context of poverty for Black and White children. Neglect is the most common form of maltreatment and strongly associated with poverty. Neglect is, however, not a unitary…

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Abandoned 6-Year Old Found alone in Apartment 

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Abandoned 6-Year Old Found alone in Apartment 

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Abandoned 6-Year-Old Found Alone in Apartment | Law & Order SVU

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I can remember, gotta remember way back when
Since a small small kid, I didn't ever have no friends
'Member daddy went to prison, Uncle Derek took me in
Then Uncle Derek went to prison, that's when my troubles began

Mama went off and found her some happiness, she got married
Missin' my daddy badly, I turned my back on the family
That left me looking for love in all the wrong places

He's been abandoned his whole life (Oh yeah)
If loving me is hard, I apologize
If I push you away, promise you'll stay by my side
He's been broken, traumatized

Now here's a toxic trait that I have
I beg for distance when I'm mad, but bein' distant, we won't last
And if it's best for you, then go be free
But if you plan on comin' back, then baby, you shouldn't leave

By the time that you get back, I'll be gone
Too scared of bein' alone, and where I lay my hat's my home
And I know that you're frustrated, you want me to open more
But it takes a strong, strong heart to heal my broken soul
Now my heart that was so full of love is full hate