This informative video explores the challenging topic of recognizing neglect in children. Child abuse rightly receives much attention, but for the social worker it is easier to assess abuse as the scars are visible. Neglect, though, is the most common form of child maltreatment and students and social workers need to learn skills to make better assessments. Neglect is vastly underreported and is just as harmful as physical or sexual abuse.

There are important signs when assessing for child neglect and throughout the video learn what to look for. Types of neglect discussed include:

• Nutritional
• Clothing
• Hygiene
• Supervisory
• Shuttling, Abandonment, & Expulsion
• Safety
• Educational
• Medical

Neglect becomes concerning when it is chronic. Recognizing neglect means becoming aware of ongoing signs such as a child who is hungry every day or who is always wearing the same clothing. A regular foul odor from a child can be an indication of neglect as well. There are many more indicators included in the video that will aid the social work student in learning what to look for.

Whether determining if neglect is due to parental actions or environmental circumstances—or a combination of the two—the first step is recognizing that neglect is occurring at all. Following the descriptions of the signs are its effects on children. This is important information for creating assessments and effective interventions for families to decrease neglect in the home. Many parents are unaware of the long-term effects of their actions and non-actions.

The video also provides specific questions you can ask a parent of a child you suspect may be neglected. It also explores how and why therapy can be so helpful in situations such as these for both the parent and child.