Learning from Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews
Since September, we have published two Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews: ‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ and ‘I was too frightened to tell anyone’. Details of both reviews, including the learning resources, can be found below.
BSCP2020-21-01: Never, Ever Shake a Baby
Published today, this Child Safeguarding Practice Review briefing focuses on a one-month-old baby who sustained non-accidental injuries in August 2020 whilst in his parent’s care.
While in this case appropriate referrals were made after domestic abuse was witnessed by health professionals, incorrect information within the referral led to professionals stepping down their response to early help and a strategy discussion was not held. Despite information about the father’s history having been shared, this was also not considered. Furthermore, the mother’s denial of the witnessed domestic abuse was accepted and attempts by the referring agencies to escalate the concerns took too long. The parents were convicted of causing or allowing serious physical harm to a child.
Practitioner Resources
- BSCP2020-21-01 Report
- BSCP2020-21-01 Press Statement
- BSCP2020-21-01 Briefing Note
- BSCP2020-21-01 PowerPoint Presentation
We will also be hosting a free webinar on Thursday, 30th January 2025 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm titled ‘Never, Ever shake a Baby’. The event will begin with an overview of the case’s events and key learning by the Lead Reviewer. This will be followed by a talk on the importance of including ‘hidden’ fathers in assessments, and how to ensure this is done effectively. We will also showcase the ‘Never, Ever Shake a Baby’ campaign, first launched in 2022 by BSCP, Birmingham Community Health Care, and NHS Birmingham and Solihull. All practitioners working with Birmingham children are welcome to join, so sign up via the below link to secure your place.
BSCP2021-22-01: ‘I was too frightened to tell anyone’
In September, Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership published the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review ‘I was too frightened to tell anyone’ (BSCP2021-22-01).
This review focuses on a family in which systematic physical assaults were carried out by the parents against their eldest children over a seven-year period. The family are of the Islamic faith and are of Ghanaian heritage and culture.
Disclosures of physical assault were made on four separate occasions which eventually resulted in the children being placed on Child Protection Plans. The parents removed their children from mainstream schooling, to provide home and tuition centre education.
Approximately three years later the eldest child disclosed physical assaults by the parents; medical examinations found scars consistent with regular beatings. Subsequently, all the children were placed in foster care and both parents were arrested and convicted of assault, ill-treatment, neglect and abandonment of the children.
Practitioner Resources
- BSCP 2021-22-01 Report
- BSCP 2021-22-01 Press Statement
- BSCP 2021-22-01 Briefing Note
- BSCP 2021-22-01 PowerPoint Presentation
You can also watch the webinar, hosted by BSCP, which begins with an overview of the case focusing on the emerging themes and learning identified, delivered by the Lead Reviewer. This is followed by a talk from AFRUCA Safeguarding Children, which delves deeper into working effectively with families from different cultural backgrounds and includes guidance on improving safeguarding practice. Also included is a brief presentation of non-accidental injuries in children, how to spot them, and what to do if you have concerns. You can also download the PowerPoint slides.