Section 4 - Learning - Wakefield Safeguarding Knowledge Hub

Section 4 - Learning

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 shared with families in their homes to assist their understanding around neglect but this may be better to do so after your assessment, as engagement with the family could be compromised if they feel threatened.

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

Guidance on Neglect around Learning

Learning and Development at 0-2 years
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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
  
  Parent/carer provides age appropriate, educational, and stimulating toys.
  
  Evidence of good interaction between child and parent/carer to promote development.
- Amber
  
  No-one plays or talks to the child; there is a lack of stimulation initiated by the parent/carer.
  
  Child left to own devices whilst parent/carer pursues their own interests.
  
  Parent/carer on the mobile phone so ‘unavailable’ for the child.
- Yellow
  
  Child left alone while parent/carer pursues own interests, little interaction between parent/carer and child.
  
  The child has variable access to educational toys.
  
  Parent/carer often on the phone and talks to baby only when prompted.
- Red
  
  Child’s mobility is restricted e.g., confined to pram, stroller, or chair.
  
  Parent/carer is visibly angered by any demands made by the child.
  
  No evidence of stimulation or interaction initiated with child.
  
  The child’s development is impaired due to lack of stimulation by parent/carer.
Early Years Provision
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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
NB there is no statutory requirement for parents to access Early Years Provision. Some children aged 2 have entitlement.
- Green
  
  The child is registered with Early Year’s provision and parent/carer is aware of what is available.
  
  Where the family do not access provision, this is through informed choice.
  
  Child showing signs of speech delay which parents have sought professional support for
- Amber
  
  The parent/carer is not accessing free provision or services provided due to the focus on their own needs.
  
  The parent/carer has limited understanding around the benefits for the child to attend.
- Yellow
  
  The family have indicated acceptance, but the child rarely attends Early Years provision.
- Red
  
  The parent/carer is not accessing the two-year-old offer and is not wanting to be “visible” to professionals.
  
  The parent/carer has a lack of insight in terms of the impact for the child’s social and emotional development.
Learning and Development at 3 – 4 years
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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
  
  Evidence of age-appropriate stimulation and interaction between child and parent/carer.
- Amber
  
  The parent/carer provides little stimulation for the child.
  
  Limited interaction between the parent/carer and the child.
  
  There are growing concerns re the child’s speech and language development.
  
  The child has limited interaction with children of a similar age.
- Yellow
  
  There are variable levels of stimulation and interaction with the child.
  
  Parent or carer interacts with the child for short periods only.
  
  The child is regularly left in front of the TV or other electronic device as a means of keeping them occupied.
- Red
  
  The parent/carer provides poor or no stimulation for the child.
  
  Interaction between the child and parent/carer is extremely negative.
  
  The parent/carer is dismissive and there is no evidence of warmth or care for the child.
  
  Child regularly has unsupervised access to inappropriate content on TV or another electronic device.
Learning and Development at 5 -9 years
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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 regularly attends school or nursery.
  
  The child fully participates in school and parent/carer takes an active interest in the child’s education.
  
  The child is supported to complete educational activities at home.
  
  The parent/carer provide adequate equipment and school uniform for the child.
- Amber
  
  Persistent concerns around Educatonal Neglect: Frequent absence from school with the child attaining below 85% unauthorised attendance.
  
  Poor engagement from parent/ carer with the school and with preventative services e.g. Parent Link Workers, EWO and the Early Help process.
  
  Frequent changes of schools, Inter-agency information regarding the care and welfare of the child from several sources increases concern.
  
  The child is not reaching their full potential because of the inaction of the parent/carer.
- Yellow
  
  Some concerns around Educational Neglect are noted e.g., low-level school attendance and punctuality issues.
  
  Parent/carer is not supporting home reading etc.
  
  The child is collected late at the end of the day or arrangements are ad-hoc.
  
  Low level concern regarding the child’s cleanliness or lack of appropriate clothing for the weather.
  
  The child arrives at school having had no breakfast and is tired and irritable. Poor quality food is provided in the child’s packed lunch.
  
  Where the child is entitled to free school meals parents fail to access provision.
  
  Younger children making their own way home from school, or escort younger siblings’ home, without adequate supervision.
- Red
  
  Parent/carer removes the child from school with no satisfactory explanation or opt to Home Educate, neither of which is in the best interests of the child.
  
  Frequent house moves without reasonable cause which adversely impacts on the child’s education and attainment.
  
  Inter-agency information regarding the care and welfare of the child from several sources indicates significant concern for the child.
  
  Serious Educational Neglect concerns as Parent/carer shows no interest in the child’s education or attainment impacting on their future life chances.
Learning and Development at 10-18 years
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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 regularly attends school.
  
  The child fully participates in school and parent/carer takes an active interest in the child’s education through attendance at parent’s evenings and reading school reports.
  
  The child is encouraged to complete educational activities at home and has access to a suitable area to study.
  
  The parent/carer provides adequate equipment and school uniform for the child.
  
  Parent/carer shows interest and are actively involved in assisting the child in making decisions about their future.
- Amber
  
  Persistent concerns around Educatonal Neglect: Frequent absence from school with the child attaining below 85% attendance.
  
  Lack of engagement with the school between parent/carer with preventative services e.g. Education and Inclusion and Early Help processes.
  
  Frequent changes of schools, Inter-agency information regarding the care and welfare of the child from several sources increases concern.
  
  The child is not reaching their full potential because of the inaction of the parent/carer.
- Yellow
  
  Some concerns are noted around Educational Neglect e.g. low-level school attendance and punctuality issues.
  
  Parent/carer frequently not checking that homework has been completed and offering support where needed.
  
  Low level concern about attendance at school.
  
  Inadequate provision of weather appropriate clothing, school uniform and equipment to fully participate in studies.
  
  The child regularly attends school having had no breakfast and is tired and irritable.
  
  The child regularly attends school without a packed lunch or money to buy food.
  
  Where the child is entitled to free school meals parents fail to access provision.
- Red
  
  Serious concerns around Educational Neglect. Parent/carer removes the child from school with no satisfactory explanation.
  
  Parent/carer is unconcerned about non-school attendance.
  
  Frequent house moves without reasonable cause which adversely impacts on the child’s education and attainment.
  
  Inter-agency information regarding the care and welfare of the child from several sources indicates significant concern for the child.
  
  Parent/carer shows no interest in the child’s education or attainment impacting on their future life chances.

Refer the the 7 Point Briefing on Educational Neglect for guidance Find out more

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