The LSCP Review Advisory Group (RAG) is responsible for identifying learning in relation to the most serious cases, including Serious Child Safeguarding Incidents (SCSIs), identifying good practice and areas of learning and improvement. The RAG collectively considers whether an incident meets the criteria for a SCSI notification, with the relevant partner agencies providing information to support decision making. Following the notification of a SCSI by the local authority to the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, the LSCP through the RAG will promptly undertake a Rapid Review.
The RAG is tasked with seeking assurance in relation to actions identified following Rapid Reviews, Local and Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs). An online tracking system introduced last year to allow for visibility of progress of actions across the partnership, is now fully embedded with regular reports on progress provided to the quarterly RAG meetings for oversight.
In 2025/26 the LSCP has completed nine Rapid Reviews and submitted these to the National Panel. This is a notable increase from the two undertaken during 2024/25.
The RAG members held a reflective session to consider the possible reasons behind the increase in notifications and subsequent reviews. The consensus that the increase was timely and likely the result of improved awareness of reviews in Leeds and their benefits in being completed quickly which allows quick-time feedback on learning themes identified to be shared with partner agencies.
In addition, the RAG notes the Annual Report (this link goes to a pdf of the report on the child safeguarding practice review panel website) for 2024/25 from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, which expressed concern regarding the decrease in the number of Rapid Reviews from 2023/24 (359) to 2024/25 (274). Therefore, the increase in review activity locally should, in this context, be viewed as an important improvement in partnership functioning and enhancing the depth of learning about safeguarding practice in Leeds.
Alongside the updated national panel guidance for safeguarding partners (published in June 2025) on notification processes and decision making around undertaking reviews, in September 2025 RAG members developed and launched a YouTube film - An Introduction to the Review Advisory Group and Key Themes – for all practitioners which introduced and outlined the purpose of reviews, the roles of the RAG members and discussed key themes seen in review activity. These elements combined improved the visibility and understanding of the purpose of multi-agency reviews in the partnership and the processes in which these occur.
Learning themes from reviews
The themes arising from reviews following local review activity during 2025/26 are available on the LSCP website. In summary:
- Neglect and early indicators of neglect
- Over-optimism in assessing parental capacity
- Lack of challenge being escalated to senior and formal levels within organisations
- Limited use of the LSCP Concerns Resolution process when needing to escalate to senior levels
- Timeliness and quality of assessments, including pre-birth assessments
- An absence of men in professional considerations and assessments
- A need for more explicit understanding and discussion of the relevance of culture and diversity when working with children and families
The learning themes identified locally are also replicated in reviews across the country and highlighted in reports from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel.(this link goes to a pdf of the report on the child safeguarding practice review panel website)
The learning themes and recommendations identified from review activity are coordinated and overseen by the partnership sub-groups to consider and implement appropriately. Learning from local (and national) review activity is a key indicator for the partnership in identifying its priorities and areas of focus where it is evidentially based on local need.
Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs)
On completion of a Rapid Review, there may be a recommendation to undertake a Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR) to identify further learning to consider in more detail how professionals and services have worked together to protect children. CSPRs explore both what has worked well and where improvements are needed, with a strong focus on learning. By reflecting on real experiences, reviews provide valuable insights into how practice, systems, and decision making affect outcomes for children and families.
The learning from these reviews is essential to strengthening safeguarding practice across all agencies. It highlights themes such as partnership working, information sharing, professional curiosity, and keeping the child’s lived experience at the centre of practice. Sharing this learning supports practitioners, managers, and leaders to reflect on their own practice and consider how lessons can be applied locally.
During 2025/26, the LSCP initiated four CSPRs following on from Rapid Reviews which focus on themes relating to exploitation and serious youth violence and neglect. One CSPR was completed during 2025/26.