... by social care failed to identify the risks to children before he was murdered by his mother and stepfather. It expands on the delays in recording information within and between agencies; problems with information sharing; and failures of four separate assessments, and assessments within the school in identifying risk, weight loss and recurring injuries to Daniel. The knowledge and skill required
(Edited publisher abstract)
This deeper analysis into the circumstances of the death of Daniel Pelka in March 2012 was completed at the request of Edward Timpson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Department for Education (DfE). It answers these issues which he raised following the Serious Case Review: why information was not effectively recorded; why information was not shared; and why four separate assessments by social care failed to identify the risks to children before he was murdered by his mother and stepfather. It expands on the delays in recording information within and between agencies; problems with information sharing; and failures of four separate assessments, and assessments within the school in identifying risk, weight loss and recurring injuries to Daniel. The knowledge and skill required to undertake social work assessments where there is a presence of substance misuse, parental mental ill health and domestic violence is significant in this case. The social worker who completed the initial assessment was experienced in working with domestic violence, but lacked access to the relevant information because of delays in updating records; and also lacked training on parental substance misuse and mental health. The second initial assessment and the core assessment were of very poor quality. Part 2 of this document summarises progress made by partners on implementing the recommendations of the Serious Case Review up to the end of December 2013. Work has started on all 15 recommendations; 7 have been completed in full and 8 others require further action and monitoring by partners and the Safeguarding Children Board.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
serious case reviews, child abuse, child neglect, injuries, domestic violence, death, homicide, risk, outcomes, interagency cooperation, assessment, record keeping;