This report represents the findings of 3 pilot exercises to independently review practice and audit the management of cases of neglect in Ireland, in preparation for a National Audit of Neglect as recommended by the Roscommon Child Care Case Inquiry (October 2010). Each of the 3 Local Health Offices (LHO) chosen for the pilots had a case which was subject to an Inquiry because the children had experienced chronic neglect. In 2 of these families a child had died and in Roscommon, several children suffered severe and sustained neglect over a period of years.

In total almost 100 cases involving more than 300 children were considered by the Reviewer and where appropriate recommendations were made to better safeguard the young people involved. The findings add to the knowledge base of characteristics of neglectful families demonstrating the significance of alcohol abuse and to a lesser extent drug misuse among neglecting parents. The circumstances of children was often a matter of concern to the entire range of involved disciplines including public health nurses, school teachers, psychologists, speech and language therapists, and to those who were providing a range of family support services.

Increased awareness due particularly to Children First training, has led to an increase in child neglect referrals to social work departments in recent years. However across the 3 Pilot areas there was evidence that the thresholds for allocation of cases to Social Workers was often too high and that generally children who had allegedly been physically or sexually abused were more likely to receive services than those who experienced neglect and emotional abuse. Consequently there was evidence that many neglected children were not receiving a service and in two areas there was a substantial waiting list.