Definition Of Significant Harm To A Child

Sometimes a single traumatic event may constitute significant harm.

Definition of significant harm to a child. This is expanded upon in the previous working together statutory guidance which describes neglect as. Harm is defined as. This guide is based on my experience of doing child protection work in the 1990s in an authority which maintained an appropriate balance between child protection and child welfare. A violent assault suffocation or poisoning.

In other circumstances significant harm is caused by the cumulative effect of significant events both acute and long standing or the damaging impact of neglect which interrupt and change or damage the child s physical and psychological development. 1 4 sometimes a single traumatic event may constitute significant harm e g. The civil definition of neglect which is used in child and family law is set out in the children act 1989 as part of the test of significant harm to a child.