The neglect of adolescents involves many aspects of their lives – for example, what happens within their families, particularly as they become young adults; their health and wellbeing; or their education. This means that working with young people who have been neglected inevitably involves more than one agency and the expertise of their staff. There is a need for both agencies and practitioners to work together.
This guide aims to provide information and signposts to good practice for those working in the area of adolescent neglect. Its central concern is to contribute towards a better understanding of what adolescent neglect is and to offer suggestions for ways of improving multi-agency practice in this area – but it is not a substitute for multi-agency training, although it may contribute towards it.