Priority 2 - Supporting the Approach to Neglect, with a Focus on Educational Neglect

Overarching Principle: “The Partnership will; support all agencies to work together to drive continuous learning, improving practice and evidencing the impact for children and families.”

For 2024 - 2027 the Safeguarding Children Partnership have chosen to focus on 3 key priorities; Tackling Child Sexual Abuse, Supporting the Approach to Neglect with a focus on addressing Educational Neglect and Supporting the Approach to Contextual Safeguarding with a focus on Online Harm and Abuse. 

This is a 3-year plan which will be overseen by the Delegated Safeguarding Partners on behalf of the Lead Safeguarding Partners.

In preparation for setting our  priorities, as a partnership, we took into account:
• What children and young people have told us
• What workforce have told us
• What our data indicates
• Learning from  local case reviews
• Learning from National Reviews
• Key findings from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report
• Existing links between the Community Safety Partnership, the Safeguarding Adults Board priority work areas.

Priority 2 - Supporting the Approach to Neglect, with a Focus on Educational Neglect

Why is it a Priority for Cheshire West & Chester? 

The contacts to iART (Integrated Access Referral Team) in relation to neglect are increasing year on year (20% increase on 2023/4).

As only one factor can be recorded on the contact, the presence of neglect is not captured in all circumstances and is therefore likely to be more prevalent. This includes educational neglect. Whilst we capture data in regard to school attendance and persistent and severe absences, there is not a full understanding of how this translates into action on the grounds of educational neglect.

Further information for Practitioners can be found on the Neglect pages under the Practitioners section of our website.