Section 1 - Health - Wakefield Safeguarding Knowledge Hub

Section 1 - Health

Use these sections to consider what you have observed, heard and been told and reflect to help you identify any aspects in relation to neglect.

These pages should guide you in your decision making on what needs to happen next in order to best support a child(ren). If felt appropriate to do so, the Toolkit can also be used with families in their homes to assist their understanding around neglect.

If you are unsure about how to proceed, please seek advice from your line manager.

Guidance on Neglect around Health

Opinion Sought and Professional Advice Followed
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Key:
- Green: Essential Needs Met
- Amber: Many Essential Needs Unmet
- Yellow: Some Essential Needs Unmet
- Red: Most or All Essential Needs Unmet
- Green
  
  Appropriate health advice sought, and advice followed.
  
  The child’s health needs are fully met.
- Amber
  
  The parent /carer fails to respond to the needs of the child.
  
  The child has been unwell and there has been a delay in seeking help.
- Yellow
  
  The child’s health needs are not recognised or responded to by the parent/carer.
  
  Where concerns are raised by professionals the parent/carer fails to respond.
- Red
  
  The parent /carer fails to access health services for their child; or fails to follow professional advice exposing the child to significant risk of harm.
Health Follow-ups
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Key:
- Green: Essential needs met
- Amber: Many essential needs unmet
- Yellow: Some essential needs unmet
- Red: Most or all essential needs unmet
- Green
  
  The parent/ carer ensures that the child attends all health-related appointments.
- Amber
  
  The child is only taken to appointments after multiple reminders.
  
  The child’s health is compromised by the parent/carer’s inaction.
  
  Parents offer misleading explanations raising concerns of disguised compliance.
- Yellow
  
  The parent/carer fails to take the child to some health appointments and does not consider the outcome for the child.
  
  Parental ill health impacts on their ability to meet the child’s needs.
  
  The parent/ carers prioritise their own needs above those of the child.
- Red
  
  The parent /carer’s fail to take child for necessary health appointments despite reminders.
  
  The parent/carer fails to recognise and respond to the needs of the child which has a significant and adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.
Surveillance and Oversight of Health Matters
(Immunisations are parental choice, check this decision is an informed one)
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Key:
- Green: Essential needs met
- Amber: Many essential needs unmet
- Yellow: Some essential needs unmet
- Red: Most or all essential needs unmet
- Green
  
  The child is up to date with all scheduled health checks.
  
  Where the parent/carer has made an informed decision to refuse one or more immunisations they have fully considered the potential impact on the child.
- Amber
  
  The parent/carer fails to attend routine health checks despite regular prompting.
  
  The child’s health needs remain unmet which has an adverse impact on their health and wellbeing.
- Yellow
  
  The parent/carers fail to attend planned immunisation or scheduled health appointments with little or no consideration to the impact on the child.
  
  The parent /carer is unwilling to prioritise the needs of the child.
- Red
  
  The parent/carer shows clear disregard for the welfare of the child.
  
  Failure to respond to the child’s health needs which results in the child suffering significant harm

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