Neglect

Neglect

Neglect is one of the most common and persistent forms of harm to children in Scotland. It’s often chronic, cumulative and hidden in plain sight. Reviews repeatedly show that neglect can become normalised and practitioners, families and even communities can become desensitised to the child’s ongoing experience of harm. Early, proactive responses make a real difference but Children are left waiting too long for help or don’t get the right help.

In 2024 NSPCC received almost 18,000 contacts from adults across the UK with concerns about child neglect – a quarter of all contacts to their Helpline. 41% of all contacts were serious enough to require a referral to local safeguarding agencies for additional support.

Between February and July 2025 in Fife, 61 (58%) of the newly registered children recorded concerns for Child affected by Parent / Carer Mental Health followed by 56 (53%) for Neglect, and 45 (42%) for Domestic Abuse.

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