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Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Under Working Together 2023, Serious Case Reviews (SCR) have been replaced by Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs). The guidance and criteria for carrying out reviews has also changed.

When a child dies or is *seriously harmed in circumstances where abuse or neglect are known or suspected (i.e. is a serious child safeguarding case), Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships/Boards are required to consider if a local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) is appropriate to consider the involvement of organisations and professionals with the child and family. In order to do this, a rapid review must be carried out within 15 days of the notification of the serious child safeguarding case to the National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (see guidance below).

*Serious harm is defined as serious or long-term impairment of a child’s mental health or

intellectual, emotional social or behavioural development, as well as impairment of physical health.

The purpose of each review is to:

  • Identify improvements to be made to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
  • Seek to prevent or reduce the risk of recurrence of similar incidents
  • Establish whether there are lessons to be learned from the case about the way in which local professionals and organisations work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
  • Identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted upon, and what is expected to change as a result

And as a consequence, to improve inter-agency working and better safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews are learning exercises and not investigations to find out who is to blame for things going wrong, with the overall purpose being that of improving practice.

The Board has a responsibility to oversee reviews and to report to the National Panel on progress made as well as any learning. Please refer to Chapter 4 of the statutory guidance for further information on the Boards responsibilities.

Reviews guidance

Rapid Review Referral Form

Rapid Review Attendee Responsibility and Guidance

CSPR Review Team Member Responsibility and Guidance

CSPR Review Practitioners Events Responsibility and Guidance

Serious Incident Notification Flowchart