The Grimsby Telegraph has joined forces with North East Lincolnshire Council to highlight the issue of neglect. Lucy Greensmith reports from a professionals conference about what plans are in place to help.
"WE DON'T need to leave children to suffer in silence ... we have to give them a better start in life."
These are the words of Chris Cuthbert, head of strategy and development at NSPCC, who spoke to a packed out audience of professionals in Grimsby to launch a plan to tackle the neglect figures in the borough.
Health professionals, members of North East Lincolnshire Council, NSPCC Yorkshire And Humber and North East Lincolnshire Local Children's Safeguarding Board (LSCB) joined forces to put a plan together to tackle the high figures of neglect in North East Lincolnshire.
The parents of 516 children in the borough have been investigated just in the past 12 months – and of those, 239 are of "serious concern", with evidence of sexual, physical and emotional abuse.
It was expressed that neglect is a "complex" topic which ranges from emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, poor hygiene and much more.
Joanne Hewson, strategic director people and communities in North East Lincolnshire Council, discussed the shocking figures.
"It is very, very clear the commitment of professionals working with children in the borough," Joanne said.
"It is evident neglect is complex and it doesn't always happen to families who suffer with poverty.
"Comparing poverty nationally, North East Lincolnshire is ranked 120 out of 150.
"To tackle this poverty we will use our resources the best we can, train our staff, provide the public with easy access information and we must focus on early intervention."
In the borough, from September 2012 to September 2013, 387 children were sexually abused.
Joanne added: "The neglect figures are significant and we need to look at ways of doing things differently.
"Our main plan is to make the workforce multi-skilled, redesign services with other organisations and focus on early intervention."
Neglect is "the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the impairment in the child's development or health."
Chris, from NSPCC, revealed some shocking figures that one in ten school children across the UK have been neglected.
He said: "It's fantastic to see so many people who are passionate to achieve this plan of lowering numbers of neglect.
"There are so many myths with the word neglect but it causes so much misery to thousands of children and in the worst cases; death.
"We need to tell the members of the public the signs of neglect which are: an unkempt child, often turns up late to nursery/school, unsupervised at home, feeling low emotionally and much more."
Other signs of neglect are:
The child lacks stable friendships
Medical appointments are frequently missed
The child has unclean clothes
The parent/carer frequently shouts or loses control with the child
The parent/carer limits support with reading, writing and learning at home.
Sue Woolmore, independent chair of LSCB, said: "This is a milestone in child safeguarding in North East Lincolnshire.
"We will do our absolute best to tackle children who are being neglected.
"Children's needs aren't being recognised and it is a harsh reality that children are being neglected out there.
"It leaves them feeling very lonely, depressed and it also affects their health such as growth.
"Neglect doesn't just affect children it also affects teenagers.
"Our overall plan is to show awareness of what neglect is and looks like and what to do when a person is concerned.
"There is more help and support than ever before."
An organisation who regularly checks the health of children from 0 to five years is the North East Lincolnshire Health Visiting Service. They support families across the borough with home visits and information.
Gill Jefford, health visitor team leader, said: "I support families in Nunsthorpe and Bradley and we are the next step from the midwife.
"We help parents with the child's health, parental emotional support and general advice.
"We home visit to get a flavour of how it is going and to make sure everything is going smoothly."
Ian Lindley, North East Lincolnshire councillor and portfolio holder for children's services, added his concerns on the topic. He said: "Neglect is a prominent issue in our area at the moment.
"It is important the public play their part so they can act and come forward."
For help and support, or if you have concerns about a child, contact the NSPCC helpline, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 0808 800 5000, e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk or text 88858.
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