Child Abuse And Neglect

Ofsted examined 173 cases of neglect between April 2008 and March 2009 and found that only 23% had been investigated to a "good" standard. A further 43% were considered "adequate".

Meanwhile 34% of the inquiries into deaths or serious injuries were judged to be below par. Inquiries are intended to be carried out to see what lessons can be learned.

Inspectors examined authorities' investigations into the cases of 219 children, some from the same families. Of that number, 113 died as a result of abuse or neglect.

Of those 219 children, 68% were known to social services and just less than 19% were already subject to a child protection plan.

But the findings are a slight improvement on last year, when Ofsted found that 40% of serious case reviews were inadequate.

Christine Gilbert, Ofsted's chief inspector, said: "Much more work needs to be done to address the remaining weaknesses and to ensure that lessons lead to improved outcomes for children and young people.

"It is of great concern that over a third of reviews are still judged inadequate."

Copyright © Press Association 2009

<http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/> (Ofsted)

Caroline Jepson from law firm Irwin Mitchell said: “A report by Ofsted has established that abused and neglected children are being put at risk because case reviews carried out by Local Authorities are "inadequate".

“Serious case reviews are carried out by Local Authorities after a child dies or is seriously injured through abuse or neglect.  Even after the tragic case of Baby P, it is clear that significantly more work needs to be carried out to ensure that agencies work together and to make sure that lessons can be learnt to improve the future for vulnerable children and young people."

Don't suffer in silence. Our specialist team of solicitors have years of experience in helping people claim compensation and get justice after child abuse. See our Child Abuse Claims page for more information or call 0370 1500 100 to talk confidentially to someone about making a claim.