Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) has today published the findings of its historic serious case review – into ‘Child K’, an Oxfordshire child admitted to hospital with severe weight loss in 2016.
Overall, the serious case review found that no professional had responsibility for understanding the child’s needs as a whole.
Derek Benson, Independent Chair of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB), described the events as “serious”, emphasising that “lessons have been learnt and recommendations acted on, ensuring more effective across-agency working.”
The purpose of the review was to identify recommendations to improve safeguarding practice across all agencies. The recommendations for improvement relate to health agencies, public health commissioners, NHS England, and Oxfordshire County Council’s children’s social care services.
Publication of the final review and report was delayed whilst Thames Valley Police investigated circumstances surrounding the case. Due to parallel family court proceedings, it was three years before criminal enquiries concluded and a decision taken by the CPS that no charges should be brought.
Derek Benson, Independent Chair of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB), said:
“This historic case, from 2016, was serious and we did not wish to delay consideration of lessons learnt whilst the police investigation was taking place. We therefore produced a detailed interim report with recommendations, agreed by Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board in 2018.
“The recommendations have been accepted and acted upon by all the organisations involved, ensuring more effective across-agency working is now in place.”
To read the Serious Case Review Report, please visit the child safeguarding practice reviews webpage.
To read the Learning Summary, please visit the Learning from child safeguarding practice reviews webpage.