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Save Child Death Review Process
'Chapter 7' of Working Together to Safeguard Children sets out the procedures to be followed when a child dies. There are two interrelated processes for reviewing child deaths (either of which can trigger a serious case review):
- a rapid response by a group of key professionals who come together for the purpose of enquiring into and evaluating each unexpected death of a child
- and an overview of all child deaths (under 18 years) in the safeguarding children board (LSCB) area(s), undertaken by a panel.
Child death overview panels (CDOPs) are responsible for reviewing information on all child deaths, and are accountable to the LSCB Chair. CDOPs may serve more than one LSCB. Child death review processes became mandatory in April 2008, though LSCBs have been able to implement these functions since April 2006.
Child death data collection
Local safeguarding children board preventable child-death data collection 2010-11
Local safeguarding children board preventable child-death data collection 2009-10
safeguarding children board preventable child-death data collection 2008–09
National templates for LSCBs to use when collecting information about child deaths
Preventable child deaths in England: Year ending 31 March 2009
Legislation
Supply of information concerning the death of children to local safeguarding children boards (LCSBs): Briefing note
Removal of human tissue from deceased children: Briefing note
The Coroners (Amendment) Rules 2008
The Coroners Rules 1984 have recently been amended to place a duty on coroners to notify LSCBs of all child deaths over which they take jurisdiction.
Training resources
Responding when a child dies
A multi-agency training resource to support LSCBs in implementing the child death review processes.
Reviewing child deaths: Advanced training for rapid response teams
Resources to assist in the conduct of a rapid response to an unexpected child death.
Why Jason Died (DCSF, 2007)
A familiarisation DVD to illustrate the roles and responsibilities of those responding to unexpected deaths within the context of the LSCBs responsibilities.
Key documents
Working Together to Safeguard Children: Consultation on 'Chapter 7' and Form C
Child Death Review Processes: LA children's services funding 2008–11
Number of deaths in children aged 0 to 17 years by LA in England, in the years 2004–2008
The attached data shows the number of deaths of children according to place of residence, by LA in the years 2004–08. Source: Office for National Statistics.
List of child death overview panel contacts for all child death notifications (updated March 2010)
Self-assessment toolkit for LSCBs: Monitoring the effectiveness of the child death review arrangements
Preventing childhood deaths: A study of 'Early Starter' Child Death Overview Panels in England
Associated documents
Why Jason died: DVD and book
(4.7Kb)
Number of deaths in children aged 0 to 17 years by LA in England, in the years 20042008
Download the contents of this page:
as a Word Document
Last updated on 03/03/2010
