We are committed to supporting practitioners and organisations to improve practice and achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
Reviewing professional practice, alongside personal reflection, allows for the identification of learning and best practice. Reviews can range from case audits and best practice reviews, through to lessons learnt and Serious Child Safeguarding Incidents, and can be undertaken using a range of methodology. However the purpose is the same, to identify how to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.
The LSCP is responsible for initiating a Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR), if recommended following a Rapid Review.
The purpose of the Review is to:
- Establish whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the case and from the way in which local professionals and organisations worked together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
- Identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted on, what is expected to change as a result and within what timescale.
And
- As a consequence, improve inter-agency working to better safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Practitioners should use the learning from reviews to strengthen their safeguarding work, improve decision-making, and contribute to better outcomes for children, young people, and adults at risk. They can do this by:
1. Reflect on your own practice
Look at the themes and consider:
- How does this relate to my role?
- Have I seen similar situations?
- What would I do differently now?
Use the learning to identify strengths, gaps, and areas for development.
2. Apply the learning in real situations
Put the insights into action by:
- Being more alert to risk factors highlighted in the review
- Asking more curious, probing questions
- Improving the way concerns are recorded or shared
Small changes in practice can make a significant difference to safety.
3. Strengthen multi‑agency working
Use review findings to:
- Improve communication with other agencies
- Share information more effectively and promptly
- Escalate concerns confidently when something doesn’t feel right
- Challenge decisions when needed
Reviews often highlight misunderstandings between agencies. Learning can help prevent repeat issues.
4. Discuss learning in supervision and team meetings
Use the review themes to prompt meaningful conversations:
- Bring examples from your own workload
- Explore how the learning applies to different cases
- Ask managers for clarity on procedures or thresholds
Teams that reflect together are better equipped to respond to risk.
5. Update your professional knowledge
Use learning from reviews as part of continuous professional development:
- Link learning to relevant training
- Refresh understanding of local policies and safeguarding pathways
- Stay up to date with evolving practice standards
Reviews help ensure practitioners remain knowledgeable and confident.
6. Contribute to organisational improvement
Practitioners can support their organisation by:
- Highlighting any systemic issues also seen locally
- Suggesting improvements to internal processes
- Sharing learning widely with colleagues
Everyone plays a part in building a safer safeguarding system.
7. Keep the child or adult at the centre
Above all, practitioners should use the learning to ensure:
- Decisions are made with empathy
- Voices and lived experiences are heard
- Actions taken reduce risk and increase safety