Health and safety issues with children equals high rate of neglect
Personnel with welfare companies exist to help children and others who need it. Unfortunately, the HSE has received reports that state there is a high rate of neglect of children. The number of child neglect cases has risen from 2010 to 2012 by more than 4,000 referrals wherein children are being reported as being neglected. Sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse are cited as the reasons of reported neglect. One worker stated that those trained for welfare need to consider more than the health and safety of those who are physically abused or raped. Rather, emphasis also needs to be put on the “less bad” troubles such as emotional abuse. Certainly, this does not mean the health and safety of those sexually abused should be lessened, but that care workers also need to take more time with those who suffer other abuse and neglect when they receive referrals.
The increase in neglect cases means a need for more trained professionals in the safety and health of children. It also means that consultants might need to be brought in to help welfare offices look at safety and health in terms of how to help prevent issues among children. Risk assessment is a huge part of taking on child neglect cases meaning the worker has to be able to assess the risk the child is currently in and determine what can be done for the safety and health of that child.
