Child Death Review Process
What is the child death review process?
Since 1 April 2008 Local Safeguarding Children Boards have been required to review the deaths of all children in their area. The regulations are outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013: Chapter 5.
The purpose of the child death review process is to collect and analyse information about the death of each child who normally resides in Kirklees with a view to identifying any matters of concern affecting the health, safety, or welfare of children, or any wider public health concerns. Data is collected from all known agencies that may hold information on each child using Department of Education data collection forms (link to external website).
What is the rapid response team?
The Rapid Response Team is a core group of key professionals who come together for the purpose of enquiring into and evaluating each unexpected death of a child. An unexpected death is defined as the death of a child that was not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death.
Who evaluates child deaths?
Data is presented to the Child Death Overview Panel which meets every two months. The panel looks at aspects of each individual case, and the professional agencies that have had involvement, ensuring a thorough investigation of each case to identify
- how deaths might be prevented in the future;
- cases giving rise to the need for a serious case review;
- matters of concern affecting the safety and welfare of children in Kirklees; and
- any wider public health or safety concerns arising from a particular death or from a pattern of deaths in Kirklees.
Who sits on the Kirklees Child Death Overview Panel?
The panel is made up of senior representatives from a range of agencies including:
Public Health
Consultant in Public Health
Serious Case Review Officer: West Yorkshire Police
H.M Coroners Office
Consultant Paediatrician: Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Calderdale Royal Hospital, and Dewsbury District Hospital
Assistant Director for Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults: NHS Kirklees
Matron for Maternity Services
The panel has the option of co-opting a professional if their specialism is appropriate to a particular case.
Further information
If you would like more information on the child death review process in Kirklees please contact
Cathy Slater
Safeguarding Children Coordinator
Kirklees Safeguarding Children Board
Email: catherine.slater@kirklees.gov.uk
Tel: 01484 225450
Bereavement Support Services for Kirklees & Calderdale
Details of organisations offering bereavement support services in Kirklees and Calderdale.
Posted 1 February 2013
