{"id":80179,"date":"2025-08-20T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=80179"},"modified":"2025-08-21T08:12:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T07:12:43","slug":"neglect-in-care-homes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/neglect-in-care-homes\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidance on Neglect in Care Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Adults in care homes have the right to be treated with respect, care and dignity. They must be able to trust those around them to maintain their safety and act in their best interests. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and those in care homes can be subjected to abuse and neglect in the very environment in which they should be protected. In this article we will outline what neglect is and why it is a serious safeguarding issue in care homes. We will also explore signs of neglect that you can look out for and how to report any safeguarding concerns that you may have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Neglect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet an individual\u2019s basic physical and\/or psychological needs. Neglect is often associated with children as their youth typically means they cannot fulfil these basic needs themselves. However, vulnerable adults such as those in a care home, can also be neglected. It may manifest as them not being given enough food, being left without help to wash or change clothes or not being given the necessary medical attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neglect in care homes is a wide spread and serious issue. In 2024 the BBC<\/a> analysed statistics from the Care Quality Commission<\/a> (CQC) and found that more than 2,500 care homes across England were rated as \u2018requiring improvement,\u2019 the second lowest score rating available. In the same year there were 194 care homes across England that were deemed \u2018inadequate,\u2019 the lowest rating possible. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Care Rights UK<\/a>, a charity focused on promoting the rights of older people in care, highlights the lack of person centred care<\/a>, inadequate training and poor staff retention as notable factors in people receiving poor care. The charity argues that as a result of this people receive institutionalised care instead of personalised care, training levels are inconsistent which can have dangerous consequences and high staff turnover leads to impersonal care due to staff being unable to build lasting relationships. It\u2019s important to remember that neglect in care homes isn\u2019t always a conscious choice made by staff. Whilst this in no way justifies the inadequate provision of care, it highlights how improvement must also occur at a systemic level. For example, providing comprehensive training<\/a>, ensuring all staff have a liveable wage and guaranteeing adequate staffing levels can all have a positive impact on reducing the risk of neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Examples and Signs of Neglect in Care Homes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Age UK<\/a> notes that there is no overarching definition of abuse or neglect. Nevertheless, they argue that local authorities should not limit their view of what constitutes abuse or neglect as they can take many forms. Abuse of any kind can be hard to spot, however it can be particularly difficult with those living in a care home. Viable excuses may be given, pre-existing conditions may be blamed or the individual themselves may not be able to communicate what is happening to them. It\u2019s therefore vital that you have an understanding of the abuse or neglect that someone may be subjected to in a care home and how to spot the signs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below you will find examples of the kind of neglect or abuse that someone may experience in a care home as well as the potential indicators that it is happening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n Psychological Abuse \"drop\n <\/h3>\n
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Psychological abuse includes:<\/span><\/p>\n