Wilful neglect, as defined in legislation such as the Criminal Justice and Courts Act or equivalent safeguarding frameworks, refers to the deliberate or reckless failure to provide appropriate care or treatment to someone who depends on services.
It is distinct from accidental mistakes or resource limitations; it involves a conscious disregard for a person’s needs, dignity, or safety.
In care homes, supported living, hospitals, and even community settings, wilful neglect can manifest in subtle and easily overlooked ways: failing to respond to distress signals, withholding medication, using degrading language, ignoring personal care needs, refusing access to food or communication aids, or dismissing a person’s concerns. It is not always an extreme act, sometimes it is the normalisation of “small” omissions that escalate into systemic abuse.
