Role of the children’s nurse in identifying and responding to medical neglect

Children's nurses aim to keep children and young people safe and ensure that they are offered high-quality, accessible services and support when needed. However, it is estimated that one in ten children in the UK will experience neglect at some point during their childhood. With reference to the literature, this article critically analyses the complex barriers to effective safeguarding practice that contribute to medical neglect. These include suboptimal communication, not keeping the child at the focus of care, not being professionally curious and not attempting to understand the child's lived experience. The article explains the statutory guidance on safeguarding and the importance of using appropriate tools and safeguarding supervision in supporting nurses to work with vulnerable families. Nurses can improve the lives of children and young people in their care by adopting creative, holistic approaches to concerns raised, while not jeopardising the therapeutic relationship and losing open, honest access and communication between the family and nurse. The author explores the idea that a shift from attempting to control the child and family, and instead working collaboratively with them, can help reduce the incidence of medical neglect.