The Use of Child Neglect Assessment Tools
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How are assessment tools and chronologies used by health and social care professionals in England to identify child neglect?
IRAS ID
280103
Contact name
Monica Duman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study will explore how assessment tools and chronologies are used by health and social care professionals to identify child neglect.
Neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment in England and its identification and assessment pose significant challenges to practitioners. Although tools and standardised approaches have been found to aid professionals in conducting robust, systematic analyses in cases featuring neglect, these are not consistently used. Furthermore, there are very few validated neglect assessment tools available and many local authorities and/or professionals are using adapted versions of these tools that have not been appropriately tested and validated. High variability in neglect practice leads to outcomes for children differing not only due to their unique set of circumstances, but also through the approach and response provided by services and individual professionals.
This study will address the shortfall in the evidence-base to assist neglect practice by exploring the factors that influence the use of child neglect assessment tools and chronologies by health visitors and social workers in England. Furthermore, it will examine the extent to which the use of these tools may mediate the quality of analysis and planning, and outcomes for children who have suffered neglect.
A mixed methods design is proposed, combining retrospective case files review pertaining to children aged 0 to 11 years and semi-structured interviews with health visitors and social workers. Recruitment for interviews with practitioners and case file data collection will take place in one local authority situated in the South East of England.
This study is part of a PhD project that will last between 2019 and 2022. It is funded by Oxford Brookes University as part of a Nigel Groome Studentship.
REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0121
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion