§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many case reviews following serious or fatal abuse under the Working Together Safeguards Guidance have been held in each of the last five years; how many in each year involved(a) child deaths, (b) serious physical 405W assaults, (c) serious sexual abuse and (d) serious neglect; and if he will indicate in each the (i) age and (ii) sex of the children concerned. [551891
§ Jacqui SmithComplete statistical information is not currently collected centrally on the numbers or types of serious case reviews that have been carried out in accordance with Chapter 8 ofWorking Together to Safeguard Children (1999).
However, many findings from serious case reviews can serve as an important source of information to inform policy and practice at both national and local levels. In recognition of this, the Department is responsible for identifying and disseminating common themes and trends across review reports, and acting on lessons for policy and practice. We will shortly be publishing an overview report drawing out the key findings of a selection of case reviews from the last two years, and their implications for policy and practice. At the same time, we have recently launched a new comprehensive database, which will in future hold information about all serious case reviews.