An SCR should take place if a child has died or been seriously harmed, if abuse or neglect is known or suspected to have been involved, and where there is cause for concern as to the way the local authority has worked to safeguard the child. “Seriously harmed” can include where, as a result of abuse or neglect, a child has sustained a potentially life-threatening injury; or serious and/or likely long-term impairment of physical or mental health or physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development.
An SCR should also take place where a child has died in custody and where it is suspected that a child has committed suicide.
The purpose of an SCR 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.
The decision to conduct an SCR should be made within one month of the notification of the incident. The LSCB must notify the national panel of independent experts and Ofsted of this decision, and should appoint someone to lead the review.
Do you have any questions?
The Child Law Advice Service provides legal advice and information on areas of child, family and education law.
Please visit www.childrenslegalcentre.com and follow the link to the Child Law Advice Service to view a range of legal factsheets and guides.
For clarifying questions, call the helpline number at the end of each factsheet. The helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
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