This brief is based on the findings from two Rapid Reviews undertaken by the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership. The purpose of a Rapid Review is to identify and act upon immediate learning to situations whereby a child has experienced abuse and neglect.
The identified learning in both cases was very similar, and therefore will be addressed together within this briefing.
What happened?
Two Rapid Reviews were undertaken following non-accidental injuries to two children (Annie and Beth) under the age of five years. Both children were brought to A&E with injuries which did not match the explanations given.
In both cases the parents were young parents, and both “fathers” (biological father and a stepfather) were young care leavers.
Beth’s family had moved between three local authority areas within a relatively short period of time as a result of the chaotic situations they found themselves in. Their time in Leeds was relatively short (two months).
What did the reviews tell us?
Agencies knew that Annie’s father had children from previous relationships, and that he didn’t have contact with them which he reported was his choice. However it was not clear as to how well agencies understood his background in relation to being a father, his previous relationships and how this impacted him as a potential father.
In both cases the “fathers” were known to have several adverse childhood experiences which were known and understood by practitioners. However agencies did not consider how these might have impacted on their ability to parent.
Practitioners should:
- understand the role of fathers (including prospective fathers) / partners within a child’s life (including pre-birth),
- identify the needs of fathers / partners and
- recognise the impact these have on children,
especially:
- How well are fathers / partners considered and assessed as parents?
- How are the impacts of adverse childhood experiences and trauma understood and considered in relation to impact on parenting, including the consideration of previous parenting experiences?
Professional Curiosity
Annie’s parents stated that they didn’t have any additional needs or need for support. However had their history and circumstances been fully known by all agencies, practitioners would have been able to consider their needs and any potential support.
- Practitioners need to balance the information which is self-reported with the need to be professionally curious, whilst building trusting relationships with families. This includes taking self-referred information on trust. Where appropriate professionals should cross check information in order to be able to provide the appropriate support, taking advice through supervision / line managers.
Recording, assessments, and Information sharing
Agencies recorded the family and friends of Annie’s fathers by their relationships with him, rather than using personal details. Details such as names and dates of birth were not recorded. This meant that agencies were not able to identify connections and therefore consider any known risks within assessments.
- Recording the full details (name, date of birth and relationship) of an individual’s family and friends (partner, children, family members, etc) should be routine practice in order to allow an understanding of family functioning as well as connections to other families / individuals.
- When building a picture of the family and close friends a genogram is recommended
Information available in relation to the Annie’s father’s children from previous relationships was not considered. This resulted in previous known risks not being considered as part of assessments.
- Practitioners should ensure that information in relation to previously assessed risks regarding children from previous relationships is considered as part of assessments.
Agencies knew of Beth’s family’s planned move to Leeds however they did not inform respective agencies within Leeds. This meant that the family were unknown to services, including universal services, within Leeds.
- Where it is known that a family are moving to another local authority area practitioners should ensure that the appropriate agencies within the new area are made aware in order to ensure families are appropriately supported the new local authority area.
Consideration of the needs of the child / young adult
Police had been called to a domestic incident between Beth’s “father” and his brother. The brother shared that Beth had fallen and hit her head. The details of the domestic incident were communicated to the Health Visitor. It was not known if the Police had seen Beth at the home, or if the Health Visitor had followed up if Beth had been seen by a professional.
- As standard practice practitioners should ensure that any child present in a domestic abuse situation is seen in order to assess for impact in relation to the domestic incident and any potential injury , and that this is recorded within agencies notes.
Annie’s father presented as a vulnerable young man and had reached crisis point in relation to his mental health on a couple of occasions, resulting in crisis intervention. No agency had considered contact with Adult Social Care to discuss potential support.
- Practitioners should be aware of the potential vulnerability of young adults and seek appropriate support.
The reviews identified the following good practice:
Appropriate response to concerns and need
- Practitioners sought advice with regards to Annie’s father’s care leaver status, and the information he shared with regards to no contact with his children from previous relationships
- Practitioners raised concerns with Childrens Social Work Services (CSWS) in relation to Annie’s father’s reported substance misuse and his support needs in relation to becoming a new father
- CSWS undertook the appropriate assessments in relation to concerns raised through to them including pre-birth assessments and Child and Family (Section 47) Assessments.
- Practitioners referred Annie’s family for additional support in relation to becoming new parents from Baby Steps and the Children’s Centre
- Practitioners referred Annie’s parents to appropriate services for substance misuse support
- The GP retained Annie’s parents as patients at the surgery, despite moving to another catchment area, in order to allow continuity of care
- Beth’s father’s Personal Advisor recognised his limited parenting experience and had planned a piece of work in relation to how to respond to a young child and manage his feelings of irritability
Inter-agency working and communication
- There was good information sharing between partners in relation to concerns including to Baby Steps, health practitioners and CSWS
- The Health Visitor did not take the information of Beth’s family’s move to Leeds on face value and continued to try to contact the family.