Dan Peters 11 November 2013

Serious Case Reviews

What is a Serious Care Review?

The undertaking of a Serious Case Review (SCR) is considered in cases where a child dies from abuse or neglect.

A final decision on whether to conduct a SCR should be made by the independent chairman of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCBs) within a month of the case coming to his or her attention.

Government ministers have encouraged boards to publish the overview reports and executive summaries of all SCRs unless there are ‘compelling reasons relating to the welfare of any children directly concerned in the case for this not to happen’.

SCRs are designed to be learning exercises tasked with carefully considering the circumstances surrounding the death.

The hope is that local professionals and organisations can improve the way they work together to safeguard children.

In the past, common themes in SCRs have included poor communication between agencies, and failings in assessments and decision-making.

The publication of SCRs often make the headlines – Baby P in Haringey, toddler Keanu Williams who was beaten to death by his mother in Birmingham and Coventry four-year-old Daniel Pelka.

Critics have argued that SCRs feed the blame culture and said their outcomes are of limited value because they tend to describe rather than analyse what has happened.

But advocates of SCRs insist the point is not to name and blame individuals or agencies, but rather to look at where improvements in practice need to be made in order to limit the risks to other children and young people.

SCRs feature an action plan, which should be monitored and reviewed by the LSCB.

SCRs can also be referred to as Part Eight reviews as they are a requirement of Chapter Eight of Working Together to Safeguard Children.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Part Time Finance Administrator

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Finance AdministratorPermanent, Part Time£25,081 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Customer Services Adviser (Housing Repairs

Mansfield District Council
£28,598 - £33,699 per annum
Mansfield is a town of towns at the centre of things in Nottinghamshire - a place of many strong connections Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Mansfield District Council

No Wrong Door Deputy Manager

North Yorkshire Council
From £47,181 up to £51,356 per annum pro rata
We’re looking for a passionate, driven, and dynamic professional to join our management team within our innovative No Wrong Door (NWD) service. Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Resource Centre Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£34,434 - £38,220 per annum pro rata
You will work closely with families and other professionals to ensure that you have sound knowledge of the children you are caring for Morton on Swale, Northallerton
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Social Worker

North Yorkshire Council
£38,220 - £42,839 per annum, pro rata
Our Family Assessment and Support Teams you will work with a range of children and their families, carers and networks. Selby, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council
Linkedin Banner