Halton Neglect StrategyLaunch Event

Impact of Neglect on Children’s Development and Attachment

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What is healthy attachment?

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What can disrupt attachment development?

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Examples of Impact

• The Strange Situation - Mary Ainsworth

• Secure, Insecure, Avoidant & Ambivalent Attachment in Mothers & Babies

• Still Face Experiment: Dr. Edward Tronick

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Attachment Basics

• Safe Haven• Secure Base• Proximity Maintenance• Separation Distress

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Impact of neglect

• Parent does not know how to respond• Physical environment unsafe• Impact on social development• Impact on speech and language

development

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Neuroscience

• At birth we have all the synapses we will ever have in our brain

• Greatest period of brain development is 0-3 with a further spurt in teenage years

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Neuroscience

• Brain reliant for development on appropriate care, stimulation and attachment

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Neuroscience and Neglect

• Evidence showing physical impact on neglect on brain development but controversial

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Neuroscience and Neglect

• Graham Allen Report 2011

• ‘Early Intervention: The Next Steps’

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-intervention-the-next-steps--2

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Neuroscience and neglect

• Brain does have “plasticity” and can be helped to develop further when lost opportunities but damage may be long lasting into adulthood

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Early Intervention

• Child/parent unlikely to say need support

• Professionals need to be alert to signs and indicators and have “healthy scepticism”

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Disguised Compliance

• Present in over 70% of serious case reviews with neglect

• Sue Woolmore – Disguised Compliance

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Early Intervention

• Recognise• Do• Support• Change

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Summary

Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change