Child Abandonment
Before you read this webpage on child abandonment please find below the definition of some words and terms we will be using in this write up.
THE RESIDENT PARENT – A resident parent is the parent the child lives with for the majority of the time during the week. Another name for a resident parent is a custodial parent.
THE NON-RESIDENT PARENT – A non-resident parent is the parent that moves out of the family home and starts to live elsewhere. They do not live with the child. Another name for a non-resident parent is non-custodial parent or absent parent.
WHAT IS CHILD ABANDONMENT?
Child abandonment is when a parent or the person with parental responsibility leaves a child with the intention of not returning to take care of their parental duties towards the child.
Under article 7 of the UN convention of the rights of the child (UNCRC) which states that every child has the right to know and be cared for by their parent(s), abandoning a child is a violation of their human rights.
LINK TO UN WEBSITE FOR ARTICLE 7 OF THE UN CONVENTION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Abandonment deprives a child of their right to a loving and stable home environment.
There are two types of parental child abandonment:
- Where a child has been abandoned and left to fend by themselves.
- Where a child has been abandoned and left with the other parent.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CHILD IS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN ABANDONED AND THEY ARE LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES?
The first thing that will happen is local authority child services will be notified by the school, the police, childline, NSPCC or anyone else that is relevant.
Upon notification local authority child services will send social workers to pick up the child or accept the child if police bring the child to the social workers. The social worker will try to find a relative or family member of the child to look after the child.
If no family member or relative can be found the child will be placed with a temporary emergency foster carer.
The search for a family member or relative as well as the child’s parents will continue while child services along with the court decides what are the next steps with the child.
FOR WHAT REASONS CAN A PARENT ABANDON A CHILD AND LEAVE THEM BY THEMSELVES?
There can be many mitigating circumstances that can cause a parent or a person with parental responsibility to abandon a child such as:
- Distress of a marriage break up
- Distress of a bereavement of a close family member
- Mental health issues
- Poverty
- Lack of financial resources and hardship
- Postnatal depression
- Not coping with child disability
WHAT IF A PARENT OF SOUND MIND DELIBERATELY ABANDONS THEIR CHILD AND LEAVES THEM BY THEMSELVES?
If a parent is found to have abandoned their child but is of sound mind and they did it deliberately they can be prosecuted by the law and get a jail sentence.
WHAT WILL CHILD SERVICES SOCIAL WORKERS DO ONCE A PARENT HAS BEEN FOUND?
Once a parent is found and it is discovered there were mitigating circumstances for abandoning their child, social workers may help the parent with counselling, parenting classes or other help while the child is with foster carers then hopefully reunite the family. The family could be reunited under supervision initially until a time when supervision is not required.
WHAT IF A PARENT ABANDONS A CHILD AND LEAVES THEM WITH THE OTHER PARENT?
This is also a form of abandonment but obviously less severe. However, the effects on the child can be just as traumatic and damaging as the abandonment where a child is left to fend for themselves.
There are many reasons why a parent can abandon their child. More often than not this happens when there is family breakdown such as divorce or separation especially if it is acrimonious.
When one parent leaves the family home (known as the non-resident parent), the other parent (known as the resident parent) can make it difficult for the non-resident parent to visit or see the child. Sometimes bitter custody battles can ensue leaving all involved traumatised that eventually the non-resident parent can abandon the child thinking that it is for the best and in the child’s interest.
Sometimes the non-resident parent can start a new family and refuse to have anything to do with their previous family including the child. Whatever the reason, the lack of one of a child’s parents will leave them with many unanswered questions and often long term issues.
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF PARENTAL ABANDONMENT ON A CHILD?
A child who has been abandoned can be left feeling very confused about what has happened to them. The effects can be long term.
- They may blame themselves for their parent(s) leaving.
- They may think they are not worthy resulting in low self esteem.
- They may feel insecure, unloved, and uncared for.
- They may feel embarrassed and shameful about their situation.
- They may find it difficult to form attachments and relationships as they have been let down by their parent(s).
- They may have trust issues because they have been let down by their parent(s).
- They may suffer from anxiety and stress more easily than others.
- They can show needy and clingy behaviour because of the fear of abandonment.
WHO CAN YOU REPORT CHILD ABANDONMENT TO?
You can call the police – You can dial 999 if a child is at risk or a crime has been committed. Alternatively if there is no emergency you can dial 101 or file a report online.
LINK TO POLICE WEBSITE TO REPORT A CRIME ONLINE
You can contact Crimestoppers – You can report a crime anonymously to crimestoppers. Their telephone number is 0800 555 111.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR CRIMESTOPPERS.
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly and report a child who has been abandoned.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE TO A LOCAL COUNCIL
WHERE CAN YOU AS A PARENT TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
You can contact NSPCC – If a child has been abandoned you can contact the NSPCC and speak to them about your concerns. If the child is in danger they will call the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR NSPCC – CONTACT US
You can contact FAMILY LIVES – Family lives was previously known as parentline. You can speak to them about your concerns that a child has been abandoned.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR FAMILY LIVES – CONTACT US
You can contact SAMARITANS – The samaritans are a free organisation that you can talk to about your concerns. Call their helpline on 116 123. They are available 24 hours a day. You can email them, chat online or write them a letter.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SAMARITANS
You can contact SUPPORTLINE – Supportline can provide confidential emotional support over the phone about your concerns. Their helpline number is 01708 765 200. You can also email them.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR SUPPORTLINE – CONTACT US
You can contact your local authority child services – You can call them directly or look on their website to see if there are any local support groups where you can get support.
LINK TO GOVERNMENT WEBSITE TO FIND YOUR LOCAL AUTHORITY
You can contact VICTIM SUPPORT – Victim support is a charity that can help individuals who have been the victim of a crime. They have a free confidential support telephone line and live chat. They are independent of the police.
LINK TO WEBSITE FOR VICTIM SUPPORT – CONTACT US
You can contact other organisations –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE TO CONNECT WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS THAT COULD HELP YOU.
You can read our help guide for where you can reach out to get help if your child is a victim –
LINK TO OUR L.I.P HELP GUIDE FOR WHERE CAN YOU REACH OUT TO GET HELP IF YOUR CHILD IS A VICTIM
WHERE CAN YOUR CHILD TALK, GET HELP AND ADVICE?
Your child can contact CHILDLINE – If your child has suffered from child abandonment and they need to talk to someone, they can call childline.