Child death and serious case review processes in the UK

Sharon Vincent

Research output: Book/ReportOther report

Abstract / Description of output

This paper is part of wider research to provide analysis and commentary on child protection policy across the UK: in each jurisdiction and UK-wide. The paper considers child death and Serious Case Review (SCR) processes across the UK. Finding out what happened when a child dies is a basic human right now enshrined in the Human Rights Act 1998. Processes of review are, therefore, crucial. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland do not have the same processes and it is important to consider the differences. This paper outlines, compares and contrasts the processes which have existed since 1989 in England and Wales, 2003 in Northern Ireland and 2007 in Scotland to review serious cases. In addition to reviewing serious cases some areas of the UK have more recently introduced, or are planning to introduce, wider processes for review of all child deaths, or all unexpected deaths and the paper also sets out these new developments. Lastly it considers the effectiveness of both serious case review processes and wider child death review processes.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationEdinburgh
PublisherThe University of Edinburgh/NSPCC Child Protection Research Centre
Commissioning bodyUniversity of Edinburgh/NSPCC Child Protection Research Centre
Number of pages16
Publication statusPublished - 2009

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