Residents urged to play their part to help keep our children free from neglect

Shropshire residents are being urged to play their part in helping keep children safe and free from neglect.

The call to action from Shropshire’s Safeguarding Community Partnership follows the impact the pandemic has had, and continues to have, on some families, and wants to highlight and encourage them and the wider community to seek help and advice to support them.

All families come under pressure from time to time. But increased or continued stress can seriously affect how well a parent can look after their child. Neglect happens when parents or carers can’t or won’t meet a child’s needs. Sometimes this is because they don’t have the skills or support needed, and/or could be due to other family issues.

To help parents and carers and the wider community support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people, the partnership is encouraging people to seek advice and support from a wide range of resources.

• Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership have set up a dedicated COVID-19 and safeguarding children page which details safeguarding and other relevant information on safeguarding children during the pandemic. 
• The NSPCC also provide support and tips to help keep children safe. From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents/carers and what to do if you’re worried about a child.

You can find out more here: Support for parents | NSPCC

Ivan Powell, Independent Chair of Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership, said:-

“Shropshire’s Safeguarding Community Partnership understands that the pandemic has had an impact of families, with some families having a significant amount of pressure in the home.

“We know when children are neglected it impacts on their development through childhood, adolescence and into adulthood, and that it is highly likely that the consequences of childhood neglect will endure through a person’s whole life course.

“The Partnership recognises this and has set it as one of our key priorities. As a consequence, we have developed a Neglect Strategy for 2020-2023 with the principal purpose of preventing and reducing neglect across Shropshire.

“Parenting can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. So we want to reach out to parents and our wider communities to urge them to seek help and advice if they are struggling, or just need some simple tips to better engage with their child.

“There is a host of support and information for parents/carers and children for all stages of a child’s life, as well as advice on how to deal with difficult situations. So please do take a look at what support is available.

“Together we can play our part in helping to keep our children safe from neglect”

 Concerned about a child?

If you suspect that a child is experiencing neglect, reporting the concern may not be something you want to consider.

Your initial reaction may be to dismiss it and just hope it’s not true. But it’s vital that you report your concerns if you feel a child may be suffering. If you don’t report your concerns, it could mean that the neglect will continue.

Whether you are the child’s parent, relative, family friend, neighbour or a professional, don’t let anything stop you from protecting a child.

How do I report a concern?

If you suspect that a child or young person is being neglected or is at risk of being neglected then you should report it immediately.

Call us on 0345 678 9021.

If you believe a child or young person in Shropshire to be at immediate risk of harm or in need of emergency medical attention call 999.

For the very latest information and advice about safeguarding children visit Shropshire Safeguarding Children’s website at http://www.safeguardingshropshireschildren.org.uk/