title: Child neglect identification: The health visitor's role.
abstract: Child neglect is a significant public health issue, with impact often persisting into adulthood. However, neglect is not easily identifiable and may go undetected for many years. This library-based literature review critically analyses the research to uncover effective practices to aid neglect identification. The literature identifies that professionals may observe particular risk factors in a child's life that make neglect more probable. Additionally, children who suffer neglect, and parents who neglect their children, may display signs that practitioners can be alert to. However, a number of barriers exist that make identification difficult. The literature highlights that health visitors have a significant role to play in identifying neglect. Final conclusions relate to the need for professional supervision, use of assessment tools and frameworks, multi-agency training, and timely interventions to safeguard children.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akehurst
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D064691:Nurses, Community Health; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors