PHARMACISTS are to play a part in helping keep children safe from neglect by stocking a guide on the topic for parents, carers and professionals as part of the NSPCC and Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board’s Neglect Matters campaign.
Branches of Rowlands Pharmacy in Barnsley are supporting the campaign, which aims to reach parents and professionals with relevant information and support around child neglect.
The campaign includes the rollout of the Graded Care Profile which helps professionals working with children and families to identify and measure levels of child neglect making it easier for families to understand what neglect is and how they can make changes to improve outcomes for their children.
The Barnsley Neglect Matters campaign - backed by the Barnsley Chronicle - underlines the importance of recognising the impact neglect can have on babies right through to adolescents where antisocial behaviour, poor educational achievements and longer-term mental health problems can be established.
Rowlands Pharmacy is supporting the campaign by agreeing to stock new leaflets which help everyone - parents, carers and everyone in the community - spot the signs of neglect and understand where they can report concerns.
Julie Ellis, branch manager of Rowlands Pharmacy on Darton Lane in Mapplewell, said: “We are really pleased to be able to back such an important campaign in Barnsley, our pharmacies have an important place in local communities not only for dispensing medicines, but also being an all-important port of call for customers to ask their questions and share lifesaving information.
“This leaflet can help us all in knowing the signs of neglect and reassures those of us who are perhaps worried about a child that is better to be safe than sorry and report our concerns.”
Helen Westerman, campaigns manager for the NSPCC, said: “We are very grateful for the support of Rowlands Pharmacy for this vital campaign. Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. It happens for many reasons, with usually no one single cause. Neglect is dangerous and can cause long-term damage blighting childhoods.
“With the support of Rowlands Pharmacy we can support even more people in identifying circumstances which put parents or carers under stress, spotting signs so that the right help at the right time can be offered.”
Rachel Dickinson, an executive director at Barnsley Council, said: “Children and young people have a right to live in an environment where they are loved, feel valued and are cared for so that they can reach their potential and have aspirations. If children are not safe, they cannot be healthy, happy, achieve or reach their full potential.
“Neglect is preventable and we can intervene before neglect concerns become a problem, but we need the support of the Barnsley community - keeping children safe is everybody’s responsibility. I’m delighted with Rowlands Pharmacy for their commitment to helping us help families access early help when neglect concerns first emerge.”
