Adolescent neglect: Briefing for professionals

It is rarely acknowledged that, just like younger children, adolescents are more likely to experience neglect at home than any other form of child maltreatment. There is evidence that professionals struggle to identify adolescent neglect and are unsure what to do when they come across it This briefing is aimed at improving knowledge, understanding and confidence around identifying and responding to adolescent neglect. It is for anyone whose work brings them into contact with young people or with adults who are parents or carers.The briefing outlines the key findings from a review of research for the Luton Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) which was done to support the development of a strategy to tackle neglect.Throughout the document, when we refer to 'adolescents' we mean young people aged 11-17, and when 'parents' is used, this is a shorthand for adult care-givers in a household, including step parents, foster carers, etc.