EXPLAINING SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS
Information for
Workers in all Agencies
Introduction
This leaflet has been produced by Bolton Safeguarding Children Board(BSCB) to provide information to workers about the Serious Case Review process.
What is a Serious Case Review?
It is an independent process that considers openly and without prejudice the effectiveness of services provided by agencies or groups of agencies to the child prior to their death or serious injury. At its core, the review process considers whether there was evidence available to those providing interventions at the time that indicated the likelihood of the child’s death or serious injury from abuse or neglect, which was either not recognised or not acted on.
Holding a Serious Case Review (SCR) in no way reflects assumptions that practice has been at fault, rather the emphasis is on learning lessons, identifying strengths in local practice and recognising where practice can be improved.
When will a Serious Case Review be held?
A Serious Case Review will be considered where:-
- a child has sustained a potentially life-threatening injury through abuse or neglect, serious sexual abuse, or sustained serious and permanent impairment of health or development through abuse or neglect
Who will carry out the review?
The overall responsibility for ensuring a Serious Case Review is undertaken and completedlies with Bolton Safeguarding Children Board. BoltonSafeguarding Children Board’sIndependent Chair will make the final decision as to whether or not a Serious Case Review is undertaken and will also ensure that a Serious Case Review Group is convened. The Serious Case Review Group will be led by at least one independent person commissioned externally from the Local Authority area and other local services.
The Serious Case Review Group consists of senior managers from Children’s and Adults Services, Clinical Commissioning Group, Royal Bolton NHS Hospital Foundation Trust, the police, probation and a legal advisor, as a minimum.
Representatives from other agencies or health trusts may be co-opted from time to time.
In all cases those being a part of the Serious Case Review Group:-
- Will not have been involved in the case or have had direct management responsibility for any aspect of the case,
- Are sufficiently independent of workers involved to be objective
- Have knowledge and experience of child protection work
How will I know what is happening?
Bolton Safeguarding Children Board recognises that it is important to those involved in the Serious Case Review as well informed as possible about how it is progressing. This means that you will be given:-
- A named contact to provide support during the process
- An opportunity to see and comment on the account of any conversations with the review group to ensure that what you said has been fully and fairly represented
- An opportunity to see and comment on the individual agency report in relation to fairness and accuracy
Who else will know about the review?
There is a requirement to notify the Department of Education, Ofsted and the National Serious Case Review Team whenever a Safeguarding Children Board commissions a Serious Case Review.
Final copies of the findings will also be shared with these bodies on behalf of Bolton Safeguarding Children Board.
Following the conclusion of the review and any other related criminal or civil proceedings, the final report will be published in full; all information contained in the report will be anonymised prior to submission to these various bodies. This is in accordance with the statutory guidance in Working Together 2013.
How does the review relate to disciplinary action?
The aim of the Serious Case Review is to ensure that agencies are accountable for the quality of their work and to ensure that any lessons from the case are learned quickly and effectively.
Serious Case Review are not part of any disciplinary enquires or processes but it is important to note that any information that emerges in the course of a review that may indicate disciplinary action should be taken will be undertaken under established procedures.
What support will I be given?
It is important that you are supported throughout this difficult process. In the first instance you can talk with your manager or your agency representative on the Serious Case Review Group.
You can always contact Bolton Safeguarding Children Board if you have any queries about the process – 01204 337964.
Bolton Safeguarding Children Board Staff Care Scheme can also be accessed and you can discuss this either with you manager or the Multi-agency training co-ordinator on 01204 337861.