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In 2006, in response to the Victoria Climbié inquiry and other developments, the government introduced new processes for responding to and learning from childhood deaths. These processes aim to ensure that each unexpected child death is investigated in a thorough and systematic way that is sensitive to and supportive of parents, and that as professionals and communities we learn lessons to help prevent future deaths.
Each unexpected death of a child will be a tragedy for his or her family and subsequent enquiries/investigations should keep an appropriate balance between forensic and medical requirements and the family's need for support.
Children with a known disability or a medical condition should be responded to in the same manner as other children. A minority of unexpected deaths will be the consequence of abuse or neglect, or be found to have abuse or neglect as an associated factor. In all cases enquiries should seek to understand the reasons for the child's death, address the possible needs of other children in the household, the needs of all family members and, also, consider any lessons to be learnt about how best to safeguard and promote children's welfare in the future.
Families should be treated with sensitivity, discretion and respect at all times, and professionals should approach their enquiries with an open mind.
Functions Relating to Child Deaths
From 1 April 2008 these process include:-
a) Collecting and analysing information about the deaths of all children in Staffordshire, with a view to identifying:
i) any matters of concern affecting the safety and welfare of children in the area of the authority, including any case giving rise to the need for a serious case review;
ii) any general public health or safety concerns arising from deaths of children.
b) Putting in place procedures for ensuring that there is a co-ordinated response by the authority, their Board partners and other relevant persons to an unexpected death of a child.
These processes are being undertaken jointly with Stoke on Trent Local Safeguarding Children Board. The SSCB procedures can be accessed here.
Training
There is no training planned for 2010-11. However if you have new staff that require 'Rapid Response' training please let us know on 01785 854579. If there is sufficient need training will be arranged.
Supporting Documentation
Attached are DCSF Information Sheets to help professionals understand more about these new processes.
More Information sheets and supplementary information is available at http://childdeath.ocbmedia.com/home/ Other useful information can be found on the Every Child Matters web site.
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