Reviews may also be held when a child has been seriously injured through abuse or neglect and where those who know about the child's circumstances believe that lessons could be learned to avoid a similar situation arising in the future. The Review carefully considers the circumstances surrounding the death, which took place prior to the incident.
This means that most child deaths do not lead to Serious Case Reviews. However it is important to remember that the death of a child is always tragic and we must take whatever steps we can to avoid a similar incident happening in the future.
The government provides advice and guidance to all the agencies that work with children, about how to conduct a Serious Case Review. These are contained in ''Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006'' which defines the purpose of a Serious Case Reviews as follows:
The purpose of Serious Case Reviews carried out under this guidance is to:
- Establish whether there are lessons to be learnt from the case about the way in which local professionals and organisations work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- Identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted on, and what is expected to change as a result; and...
- As a consequence, improve inter-agency working and better safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- Serious Case Reviews are not inquiries into how a child died or who is culpable.
Serious Case Reviews- Executive Summaries for download.
Executive Summary 1 (.PDF)
Executive Summary 2 (.PDF)
Executive Summary 3 (.PDF)
Executive Summary 4 (.PDF)
