Child neglect a serious problem in NI, say researchers

Almost one-third of younger children in the care of social services in Northern Ireland have been taken into care because of neglect, new research has revealed.

`The Care Careers of Younger Looked After Children’ is the culmination of a three-year study, by the Institute of Child Care Research at Queen’s University, which followed the case histories of 388 children in care who were all under the age of five when the project began.

It found that babies under one-year-old are the most likely to have been neglected.

The neglect amongst children under the age of seven is also particularly associated with a family history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence. Moreover, children with a background of neglect are most likely to remain within the care system.

Today's report argues that, while in recent decades there has been an increased awareness of physical and sexual abuse of children, child neglect is more common and its dangers should also be highlighted.

This is defined as a persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, to the extent that the child’s health or development is likely to be seriously impaired.

The research also pointed out that almost half the “looked after” children have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Today's report was launched at a one-day conference at Stranmillis University College. Speakers included Jane Aldgate, Professor of Social Care at the Open University, Dr Una Lernihan, North & West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust; and Dr Colette McAuley, School of Social Work, Queen’s University Belfast.

(MB)