Child Death Overview Process (CDOP)
Deaths of all children, up to the age of 18 years, need to be reviewed, taking into account all available information for each death. The principles underlying the review of all child deaths are:
- Every child’s death is a tragedy for the family and for the wider community.
- By reviewing child deaths we can learn lessons to prevent future child deaths.
- Joint agency working draws on the skills and particular responses of each professional group.
- Child Death Reviews should lead to positive action to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The overarching goal of this process is to reduce the number of child deaths. The review aims to ensure that there is a full understanding of the events leading to the child’s death. The recommendations arising from a review should lead to improved services for children and their families, both at local and national level.
In Oxfordshire the CDOP panel includes professionals from Health and Social Care, the Police, Ambulance Service, Bereavement Support, lay members and the Coroner’s office and is chaired by a public health consultant from Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust. For specialist advice, additional professionals are co-opted to join the panel. The CDOP meets bi-monthly. On concluding each review, the panel makes recommendations which can include matters affecting the safety and welfare of children in Oxfordshire and wider public health concerns.
Chair
The current chair is Ljuba Stirzaker
