FABRICATED OR INDUCED ILLNESS
A rare type of child abuse is fabricated or induced illness (FII). It happens when a parent or caregiver, usually the child’s biological mother, exaggerates or intentionally causes illness symptoms in the child.
Signs of fabricated or induced illness
FII covers a wide range of symptoms and behaviours involving parents seeking healthcare for a child. This ranges from extreme neglect (failing to seek medical care) to induced illness.
behaviours in fil include a mother or other carer who:
- Persuades healthcare professionals that their child is ill when they’re perfectly healthy exaggerates or lies about their child’s symptoms
- Manipulates test results to suggest the presence of illness – for example, by putting glucose in urine samples to suggest the child has diabetes
- Deliberately induces symptoms of illness – for example, by poisoning her child with unnecessary medication or other substances
REFERENCE: NHS
HOW TO GET SUPPORT
If you are worried or have any concerns, please contact our Yuzu Safeguarding team using the numbers below or reach out to us using the contact us button.
- Office Hours Number: 023 8017 0378
- Out of Hours Number in Emergency: 999
- Email: [email protected]
- Safeguarding Officer: 07375 461990
other useful resources
NSPCC
NSPCC helps children who’ve been abused protects children at risk and finds the best ways to prevent child abuse from ever happening.
If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact their helpline to speak to one of their trained counsellors.
- Telephone: 0808 800 5000
- Email: [email protected]