Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (SPRs) (formerly Serious Case Reviews (SCRs)) in England are undertaken when a child dies (including death by suspected suicide), and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor in the death. Additionally, Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (formerly LSCBs) may decide to conduct an SPR whenever a child has been seriously harmed and in accordance with the guidance in Working Together 2018:
Serious child safeguarding cases are those in which:
The criteria which the local safeguarding partners must take into account include whether the case:
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Safeguarding partners should also have regard to the following circumstances
Some cases may not meet the definition of a ‘serious child safeguarding case’, but nevertheless raise issues of importance to the local area. That might, for example, include where there has been good practice, poor practice or where there have been ‘near miss’ events. Safeguarding partners may choose to undertake a local child safeguarding practice review in these or other circumstances. |
The prime purpose of an SPR is for agencies and individuals to learn lessons to improve the way in which they work, both individually and collectively, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Since 2013 there has been a National Panel of Independent Experts to advise LSCBs and Partnerships about the initiation and publication of SCRs. The panel’s remit includes advising LSCBs and Partnerships about:
Check the NSPCC National Case Review Repository of Serious Case Reviews and Safeguarding Practice Reviews
7 Point Briefing - Learning from Practice - Multi Agency Learning
Child A, B and C (published 31/01/11)
Child B (published 10/10/13) For legal reasons only a brief summary of the case along with the lessons can be published
Baby A (published 11/10/13) For legal reasons some of the content of the Executive Summary have been redacted
Thematic review of child neglect (published 24/1/13) - A 2 year study of the professional responses to child neglect within York
Messages from reviews (Published 2014) - A review of all case reviews undertaken by the CYSCP since 2007