A formal process undertaken when a child has died or been seriously harmed, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor. It aims to establish what lessons can be learned from the case about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children. The analysis focuses on identifying improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. For instance, if a child known to social services dies due to neglect, this procedure would be initiated to assess the actions of all involved agencies and identify any systemic failures.
The significance of these reviews lies in their ability to promote inter-agency collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement in child protection practices. Understanding the historical context reveals how these structured evaluations evolved from less formal inquiries into a standardized practice aimed at preventing future tragedies. Their benefit is multifaceted, encompassing enhanced training, improved communication protocols, and strengthened safeguarding policies. Ultimately, they contribute to a more robust and responsive child protection system.