As soon as the rapid review is complete, the safeguarding partners should send a copy of their findings to the panel. They should also share with the panel their decision about whether a local child safeguarding practice review is appropriate, or whether they think the case may raise issues that are complex or of national importance such that a national review may be appropriate. They may also do this if, during a local child safeguarding practice review, new information comes to light suggesting that a national review may be appropriate. As soon as they have determined that a local review will be carried out, they should inform the panel, Ofsted and DfE, providing the name of the reviewer they have commissioned.
- Case background
In July 2024, Child J and his mother were found deceased in the family home; their deaths are thought to be a case of maternal filicide-suicide. Child J, a 5-year-old boy with autism, lived alone with his mother. They appeared socially isolated - they did not leave the house frequently, had no family in the country, and Child J was home educated by his mother. Child J’s parents separated in 2020; the reason for this is unknown, but alleged domestic abuse perpetrated by father may have been a causal factor. Following the separation, there were difficulties relating to father’s access to Child J and private family law proceedings were ongoing at the time of Child J and his mother’s death.
The Rapid Review can be found here.