Lucy Letby inquiry must consider social worker role in multi-agency teams, says BASW

The inquiry was launched this month as nurse Letby was given a whole life sentence for the murder of seven babies and the attempted murders of six more at the Countess of Chester hospital.

Among issues being considered is concerns that hospital management failed to act on reports made by colleagues into Letby’s conduct.

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BASW wants to ensure that the “the vital importance” of the role of children’s social workers within multi-agency safeguarding teams for hospital workers to report concerns to is considered. This role is especially important for doctors and nurses due to concerns around the working culture within hospitals, said the social workers' organisation.

“Many clinicians were concerned at the hospital but were not heard within the institution,” said BASW chief executive Ruth Allen and chair Julia Ross in open letter.

“Hospitals too often still operate as closed units and cultural norms can obscure evidence that harm is happening. Anyone concerned about child welfare must be able to raise the alarm outside the institution”.

BASW has written to @guardian & @thetimes outlining the vital role of local multiagency safeguarding & reporting concerns to social work & other agencies, following the horrific murders of vulnerable babies at Countess of Chester Hospital where clinician concerns were unheard ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8O9aLKC4AT

— BASW (@BASW_UK) August 23, 2023

BASW also backs calls made by the victims’ families for the inquiry to be upgraded to a statutory investigation. This would compel witnesses to give evidence.

The social worker body hopes that the inquiry “will engage with all professionals, including social workers, who can play a vital part in preventing future harm”.

In announcing the launch of the Letby inquiry the Department of Health and Social Care said that it will look at the circumstances surrounding the deaths “including how concerns raised by clinicians were dealt with”.

“This inquiry will seek to ensure the parents and families impacted get the answers they need. I am determined their voices are heard, and they are involved in shaping the scope of the inquiry should they wish to do so,” said health and social care secretary Steve Barclay.

“Following on from the work already underway by NHS England, it will help us identify where and how patient safety standards failed to be met and ensure mothers and their partners rightly have faith in our healthcare system.”