21 Investigate Why Inquiries And Serious

2.1 - Investigate why inquiries and serious case reviews are required and how sharing of findings affects practice

Serious case reviews and inquiries are required to identify how, when and why a child has died from abuse or neglect. These reviews identify the way in which organisations and local professionals have worked both together and separately to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and young people. These reviews also help to identify how these organisations could have worked better to ensure that this doesn’t happen again to another child.

Victoria Climbie was born 2nd November 1991. She was brought to the UK in 1999 by her aunty, who the authorities thought was her mother, when she was 8 years old. She suffered 128 injuries from being beaten with sharp and blunt instruments and after Victoria’s post mortem was carried out, her cause of death was found to be hypothermia brought on by malnourishment and living in a damp environment with restricted movement. Victoria’s Aunty was arrested at the hospital on 25th February 2000 on suspicion of neglect.

Victoria had been a part of multi agency child protection plan and had visited and been visited by multiple hospitals, social services teams, police and churches before her death on 25th February 2000 at just 8 years and 3 months old. All agencies involved were too willing to listen to her Aunties stories of incontinence, possession and behavioural problems. The social services teams didn’t even follow up a disclosure of sexual abuse towards Victoria with an investigation after her Aunty retracted the allegations she had made towards her partner. All agencies seemed very trusting of Victoria’s Aunty who was reinforced by her presentation and behaviour. She co-operated with meetings and visits from professionals, initiated communication with professionals and even responded positively to offers of help.

After Victoria’s death all agencies that were a part of her short life within the UK were looked into and were found to be lacking in organisation, thoroughness and insufficiently focused on the child’s welfare. The result of the Victoria Climbie case meant a review on the child protection plan.

Practitioners have to be extra vigilant when working with children and have to ensure they follow correct procedures with regards to safeguarding and child protection. If a child discloses information to a member of staff they must record all information including the date and time that the child disclosed. This information will then be passed onto management who will contact and inform the correct agencies.

2.2 - Identify the policies and procedures required in the work setting for safeguarding children and young people.

The policies and procedures needed within the setting for safeguarding children and young people are:
Safeguarding and Child Protection

This policy and procedure ensures the protection of the children within the setting with regards to disclosure, abuse and neglect. Practitioners must follow the correct procedure with regards to disclosures from children or incidents witnessed. All practitioners have a DBS check before being able to work closely with the children to ensure they are suitable for the position.

Health, Safety and Risk Assessment

This policy ensures that all health and safety matters are addressed within the setting so that the children are entering a safe and secure environment. Daily risk assessments are carried out to ensure that all hazards and risks are minimized or removed to ensure the complete safety of the children and young people within the setting and its outdoor environment.

First Aid

This policy and procedure ensures that practitioners within the setting are sufficiently trained to administer first aid to children, young people and other staff members. Following the correct procedure they must ensure that a first aid form is filled out including all relevant information with regards to the child.

Data Protection

This policy and procedure ensures that all children’s and young people’s information is sufficiently stored within the setting. It also states that practitioners must not discuss nursery business outside of the setting.