Authoritative practice with child neglect: Integrating family support and child protection

Abstract

Child neglect accounts for the highest proportion of substantiated cases of maltreatment in high income countries. It is associated with profound effects on children’s wellbeing and development in the short and long term. Practitioners from all disciplines struggle to find effective responses to neglected children, especially in the context of systems that are built around a forensic-investigative core. Based on a body of research undertaken in the UK and informed by an international literature review, this paper proposes that a model of authoritative practice is required when working with neglect. Practitioners working in all settings need to combine empathic support for parents with a sharp focus on the needs of children for care and protection.