Which Factors in a Child Welfare Worker’s Environment Influence Their Decision-Making About Neglect? A Systematic Narrative Literature Review

Gibbs, Jennifer, Coughlan, Barry, Morgan, Tessa, Mikushnica, Arbenita, Phippard, Samantha, Crozier-Roche, Francesca, Drayak, Taliah, Graham, David, Smith, Jack and Duschinsky, Robbie (2025) Which Factors in a Child Welfare Worker’s Environment Influence Their Decision-Making About Neglect? A Systematic Narrative Literature Review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. ISSN 1552-8324

Preview

PDF Download (381kB) | Preview

Abstract

This paper systematically reviews literature to date about how child welfare workers’ decisions about neglect are influenced by their environments. We conducted a systematic search of Web of Science, Embase, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Applied Social Sciences Index & Abstracts, looking for studies in English of any methodology, published since the 1989 Children Act, in which statutory thresholds in England are defined. We used child welfare workers’ definitions of neglect or, in the absence of this, defined “neglect” as harmful acts of omission by a caregiver (failure to do something necessary for a child’s well-being). We included the views of child welfare practitioners with or working toward a social work qualification and those completing statutory child protection investigations, whatever their qualifications. Thirty-nine studies met the criteria for review. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool and Gough’s Weight of Evidence framework. Themes were identified iteratively and synthesized using a narrative method. The review found evidence that high caseloads and work-related stress might result in neglect receiving lower priority for intervention. The threshold for statutory intervention also appears to be influenced by the availability of non-statutory support services. These findings suggest that greater investment in services, particularly early intervention, may help children experiencing neglect receive sufficient, timely, and proportionate support. We also found that practitioners find it challenging to evidence neglect, and this can result in delays intervening, suggesting that practitioners may benefit from training and support in court skills.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Uncontrolled Keywords:	child neglect; social work; thresholds; assessment; decision-making
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare > Child Protection H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman > Children K Law > KDK Republic of Ireland > Social legislation > Public welfare. Public assistance. Poor laws > Social work. Social workers. Social services
Divisions:	School of Business (- 2025) > Staff Research and Publications
Depositing User:	Tamara Malone
Date Deposited:	27 Feb 2026 09:38
Last Modified:	27 Feb 2026 10:20
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/9167

Actions (login required)

View Item