No. 19 Local learning: Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Neglect CSPR: Recent learning

Following a recent Serious Case Review around Neglect in Devon the following learning points were highlighted.

settings should not use the term ‘persistent’ in the definition of neglect as a reason NOT to make an enquiry into MASH. (Or Plymouth/Torbay equivalent)
TAF’s and Early Help meetings will often support the parents but the important ‘how has life improved for the child/ren’ question is forgotten. If life for the child/ren is not improving review Early Help targets and/or make an enquiry.
Schools and other professional bodies are able to challenge decision making at any level of the child protection/safeguarding process and can use the DSCP Case Resolution Protocol to make their challenge.
Schools and settings should consistently use assessment and threshold tools to support their decision making.
a good chronology saves lives. Chronologies should be succinct and include factual concern, action and where necessary the impact of actions.
settings need to understand their LA referral, Social Care, threshold and response processes.
communication between different agencies and practitioners is vital. Legitimate safeguarding concerns can and must be discussed between agencies to support information sharing and the development of effective actions.

What are child safeguarding practice reviews?

Sometimes a child suffers serious harm* or death as a result of child abuse or neglect. When this occurs local CSPRs can be commissioned by the Local Authority to provide a structured approach to looking at and analysing frontline practice as well as organisational structures and learning. (This can also happen at a National Level)

Sometimes a child suffers serious harm* or death as a result of child abuse or neglect. When this occurs local CSPR’s can be commissioned by the Local Authority to provide a structured approach to looking at and analysing frontline practice as well as organisational structures and learning. (This can also happen at a National Level)

The responsibility for how the system/CSPR learns the lessons from serious child safeguarding incidents lies at a local level with the safeguarding partners.

Local CSPR’s can take many different formats, however Devon’s preferred approach is that of appreciative enquiry. If your school is involved in a case, you will be required to participate in this.

For more information about Local and/or National CSPR’s refer to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, Chapter 4.

*Serious harm includes (but is not limited to) serious and/or long-term impairment of a child’s mental health or intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development. It should also cover impairment of physical health (although this is not an exhaustive list).

The purpose of child safeguarding practice reviews

CSPR’s are not conducted to hold individuals, organisations or agencies to account but to identify improvements to be made to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Learning is relevant locally, but it has a wider importance for all practitioners working with children and families and for the government and policy-makers.