Last updated by Stephanie Rosser on Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Disguised compliance is a term used to describe the behaviour of parents or carers who appear to co-operate with professionals in order to allay concerns and stop professional engagement.

Rather than labelling caregiver behaviours, it can be more helpful to look beneath the behaviour, build strong relationships with families and make sure the child’s lived experience remains at the heart of everything you do.

Key points about why 'disguised compliance' can be a problematic term and how to look beyond the language of disguised compliance

• The phrase ‘disguised compliance’ can be misleading, unhelpful and blaming.
• Use of the term can undermine working relationships with caregivers and mask barriers to engagement.
• There needs to be a better understanding of why caregivers are sometimes unable, unwilling or reluctant to work with services to make and maintain the changes needed to meet their children’s needs. 
• Professionals should consider how to more clearly describe the caregiver behaviour. 
• Instead of focusing on parental compliance, stay child-focused, build relationships with families and assess capacity to change. 

Read more from NSPCC Why Language Matters.