Croydon Neglect Strategy
The Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) is committed to protecting children and young people from neglect and ensuring they have the opportunity to thrive. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse in the UK, and its impact can be profound and long-lasting. Our strategy focuses on early identification, effective intervention, and collaborative working to safeguard children and support families.
Southwest London (SWL) Neglect Strategy
The SWL Neglect Strategy represents a collaborative effort across Croydon, Kingston and Richmond, Merton, and Wandsworth Safeguarding Children Partnerships to address child neglect. This strategy emphasises:
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A child-centred approach, ensuring the voice of the child is heard in all decisions.
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Early intervention and prevention, focusing on identifying risks and providing support before neglect escalates.
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Multi-agency collaboration, bringing together professionals from health, education, social care, and other sectors to safeguard children effectively.
In addition to the Neglect Strategy, we encourage practitioners to read the Safeguarding Practice Reviews related to neglect. These reviews offer valuable insights into recognising and responding to neglect, highlighting real-life learning to inform and improve multi-agency practice.
To support this, we’ve developed a series of 7-Minute Briefings to accompany the full reviews—concise, accessible resources that highlight key learning points and offer practical guidance.
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Ben (2022)– 7-Minute Briefing | Read the full review
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This review examines the tragic death of a two-year-old boy, highlighting systemic challenges in identifying and addressing neglect in early childhood. Ben's mother, a young first-time parent with a history of adverse childhood experiences and low-level depression, struggled to engage with support services.
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Carl & Max (2022) – 7-Minute Briefing | Read the full review
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This review examines the tragic case of Carl, a 16-year-old who was fatally stabbed. The review highlights how chronic neglect—manifested through repeated homelessness, unstable housing, and prolonged absence from education—significantly impacted Carl's wellbeing and development.
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These materials are designed to help practitioners reflect on their own practice and drive better outcomes for children at risk of neglect.
Child Wellbeing Tool
The CSCP Child Wellbeing Tool is designed to support practitioners in assessing and addressing the needs of children and young people across Croydon. This tool aligns with the Southwest London (SWL) Neglect Strategy and provides a structured, evidence-based approach to identifying and responding to concerns about child neglect.
The Child Wellbeing Tool focuses on four key areas of a child’s life:
The tool is designed to complement existing frameworks, such as the Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2), and should be used alongside it when neglect is suspected or identified. It supports practitioners in making consistent, child-centred decisions and provides clear guidance on next steps based on the level of need identified.
What difference will the tool make?
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Improve Early Identification: Help practitioners identify concerns about neglect and other wellbeing issues at an early stage, enabling timely intervention.
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Standardise Assessments: Provide a consistent, evidence-based framework for assessing children’s needs across agencies.
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Enhance Collaboration: Support multi-agency working by providing a shared language and approach to safeguarding.
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Empower Practitioners: Offer clear guidance on next steps, ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time.
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Focus on the Child’s Voice: Ensure the child’s experiences and needs are central to all assessments and interventions.
The SWL Neglect Strategy and CSCP Child Wellbeing Tool is designed for all professionals working with children and families, including:
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Social workers
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Health visitors
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School staff (e.g., teachers, designated safeguarding leads)
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Early years practitioners
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Police and housing officers
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Voluntary and community sector workers
It is particularly useful for practitioners who:
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Have concerns about a child’s wellbeing.
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Need to assess the level of support required for a child or family.
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Are involved in multi-agency safeguarding work.
Next Steps
If you have concerns about a child’s wellbeing or suspect neglect:
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If you are a not a licensed GCP2 practitioner, use the CSCP Child Wellbeing Tool to assess the child’s needs and determine the level of support required.
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If you are a licensed GCP2 practitioner use the GCP2 Tool for a detailed assessment of care quality where neglect is suspected.
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Contact MASH Consultation Line for advice and support, call 0208 726 6000, Option 1.
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If a referral to Children's Social Care or Early Help is required, please complete a Multi-agency Referral Form
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For non-urgent support needs refer families to the Croydon Early Help directory for information of voluntary, community and faith organisations who can also offer support an advice.
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Access CSCP Reviews and briefings for additional guidance on specific aspects of neglect.
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Further Reading and Resources
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The NSPCC Graded Care Profile 2
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Watch this short video to hear directly from professionals about the impact of GCP2: Watch here
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London Safeguarding Children Procedures - Neglect
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View guidance
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