Notifiable Incidents Involving Children

Section 16C(1) of the Children Act 2004 states:

Where a local authority in England knows or suspects that a child has been abused or neglected, the local authority must notify the Child Safeguarding Practice Review (using the link below) Panel if:

(a) the child dies or is seriously harmed in the local authority’s area, or

(b) while normally resident in the local authority’s area, the child dies or is seriously harmed outside England.

The local authority must notify any event that meets the above criteria to the Panel. They should do so within five working days of becoming aware that the incident has occurred. The local authority should also report the event to the safeguarding partners in their area (and in other areas if appropriate) within five working days.

The local authority must also notify the Secretary of State and Ofsted where a looked after child has died, whether or not abuse or neglect is known or suspected.

1.4 The duty to notify events to the Panel rests with the local authority. Others who have functions relating to children should inform the safeguarding partners of any incident which they think should be considered for a child safeguarding practice review. The link to the Child Safeguarding Online Notification form for local authorities to notify incidents to the Panel is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-a-serious-child-safeguarding-incident

The local authority will also inform the relevant safeguarding partners within five working days.

In Wirral notifications are made by Service Manager of the SGU following triage and discussion with the Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care and the WSCP Manager.

The WSCP Manager also informs the safeguarding partners of the notification via the Chair of the Case Review committee.

Responsibility of the WSCP

One a notification has been made the WSCP will be instructed by the National Panel to undertake a Rapid Review of the case (within 15 working days). The purpose of the Rapid Review is to determine whether a statutory Child Safeguarding Practice Review is warranted.

For cases where a CSPR isn’t warranted, the Case Review committee will determine whether a local review is appropriate.

Procedure

Further Information

www.wirralsafeguarding.co.uk/professionals/serious-case-reviews