u2.2 lesson6[lo4]

Unit 2.2 Understand legislation relating to the safeguarding,

protection and welfare of children

Starter activity

http

Catch 22

Research how these agencies support?

Learning outcomes

LO4. Understand the purpose of serious case reviews• Explain why serious case reviews are required• Analyse how serious case reviews inform practice

• The Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB) will call for a serious case review if a child dies and abuse or neglect is suspected or known to be the cause.

• A serious case review will expect each service involved to review its own practices to examine whether any changes need to be made.

• This review will enable everyone to identify whether there are any lessons to be learned from the case.

• A serious case review does not intend to find out who is to blame for the death or serious injury.

Serious case reviews

LO4. Understand the purpose of serious case reviews [AC 4.1]

Agencies involved in

serious case reviews

Police

Health

Local authorityEducation

Social services

LO4. Understand the purpose of serious case reviews 4.1

Time: 15 mins

How should agencies communicate effectively to share concerns about a child and family?Consider: • Information to be shared• How to share information• Effective record keeping• Roles and responsibilities.

LO4. Understand the purpose of serious case reviews 4.1]

Time: 15 mins

Why do you think it is important to hold serious case reviews?Consider: • The role of each agency or organisation• Lessons to be learnt• Impact on future practice.


A serious case review will inform practice, this may include:• Sharing information • Improvements in communicating• Early identification of a child in potential danger or at risk of

serious harm• Effective and accurate record keeping of all events that are

causing concern• Clear roles and responsibilities• Working in partnership with parents and agencies that may be

involved with the family.

Serious case reviews

LO4. Understand the purpose of serious case reviews 4.2

Baby P died in 2007 after months of abuse. In 2009 a serious case review stated that Baby P was failed by all agencies involved.• All three children living in the house at the time were on the

Local Authority’s child protection register.• The GP did not raise concerns after bruising was found on

Baby P’s head and chest.• Police were criticised for not investigating suspicious injuries.

The case of ‘Baby P’


• The school attended by Baby P’s siblings did not share information about concerns over the mother.

• Social workers and their managers did not think he was being harmed or at risk of harm.

• No agency involved realised that a man with known violent tendencies was living in the house.

The case of ‘Baby P’ (cont’d)


Time: 25 mins

Discuss how the following points raised from a serious case review will support improvement of practice in safeguarding. • The need to share any concerns with all agencies involved• Clearly written, accurate and detailed reports of any concerns• Clear lines of reporting and responsibility.


Time: 15 mins

After the serious case review into the death of Baby P, the head of children’s services for his local authority was removed from her post. The post was to be covered temporarily until a suitable replacement could be found. • Analyse the possible reasons behind this and the impact on

other cases.


Summary Serious case reviews are held to reflect on the situation and make

recommendations for improvements in practice. Serious case reviews do not look for who is to blame for the death or

serious injury. All agencies involved in safeguarding need to respond to lessons

learned from a serious case review.

Summary: plenary activities1. When does a serious case review take place?2. Who may be involved in a serious case review?3. Describe two improvements in practice that may arise from a serious

case review.