Neglect and Acts of Omission

A person who has responsibility for the charge, care or custody of an adult with care and support needs who fails to provide the amount and type of care required to meet those needs. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional.

The Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance describes neglect and acts of omission as including

• Ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs;
• Failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services;
• The withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
• Neglect and poor professional practice may take the form of isolated incidents or pervaive ill treatment and gross misconduct. Neglect can happen anywhere.

Sometimes neglect and acts of omission can take place in care settings.

See: Allegations against Service Providers (including Organisational Abuse).

Consider neglect when an adult with care and support needs:

1. Is not supported to present themselves the way they would like (for example haircuts, makeup, fingernails and oral hygiene and care);
2. Is given someone else's clothes to wear;
3. Occasional has poor personal hygiene or wears dirty clothes;
4. Is wearing clothing that is unsuitable for the temperature or the environment;
5. Has lost or gained weight unintentionally;
6. Does not have access to food and drink in line with their dietary needs;
7. Has repeated urinary tract infections;
8. Is not getting care to protect their skin integrity, potentially leading to pressure ulcers;
9. Does not have opportunities to spend time with other people, either virtually or in person;
10. Uncharacteristically refuses or is reluctant to engage in social interaction;
11. Does not have opportunities to do activities that are meaningful to them;
12. Does not have access to medical and dental care;
13. Is denied access to communication and independence aids (such as hearing aids) contrary to their care and support plan;
14. Has not received prescribed medication, or medication has been administered incorrectly (for example, the wrong dose, timing, method, or type of medication);
15. Does not have access to outdoor space, fresh air and sunlight;
16. Is not given first aid when needed;
17. Does not have an agreed care and support plan;
18. Is not receiving the care in their agreed care and support plan;
19. Has deteriorating physical or mental health or mental capacity, and there is a lack of response to this from staff;
20. Lives in a dirty or unhygienic environment;
21. Has only inconsistent or reluctant contact with external health and social care organisations;
22. Is not kept safe from everyday hazards or dangerous situations.

See: Disclosure and Raising a Concern.