The type of maltreatment shown in this finding is physical abuse and neglect. Both adults would deliberately harm him which suggests that they may have physically abused him as shown through physical indicators such as bruising and injuries. This finding also suggests that Daniel may have been neglected due to dysfunctional family relationships. Daniel’s mother may not have had a proper mother/son relationship with Daniel and may have had poor parenting skills leading to this neglect.
2. Police were aware of domestic abuse and violence alongside excessive alcohol use by Daniel’s mother since 2006 yet ‘child protection risks to the children in this volatile household not fully perceived or identified’.
This finding shows that Daniel was neglected. This may have been due to his mother’s impaired parenting skills as there is evidence of substance abuse as his mother was an alcoholic. This may have caused her to act out in a violent manner whilst being in a state of intoxication causing physical abuse towards Daniel.
3. When Daniel arrived at school with a broken arm it was ‘too readily accepted by professionals as accidentally caused’.
This finding shows that Daniel was both neglected and physically abused. His injury shows signs of physical abuse by his mother and stepfather and this finding also shows neglect as the school did not investigate further into his injury.
4. The school began to see a pattern of injuries and marks on Daniel during the four months prior to his death, and these were not acted upon.
This finding shows that Daniel was neglected by the school as they failed to investigate further into his injuries. This may have been due to their fear of being exploited into tabloids due to having a child who is domestically abused attend at their school.
5. At a paediatric appointment, Daniel’s weight