LSCB Serious Case Review: Child Protection and Family Dynamics

This report presents a serious case review (SCR) concerning child protection, focusing on two cases: a newborn baby, Peter, and a young girl, Victoria Climbie. The report examines the backgrounds of both cases, highlighting issues of domestic abuse, neglect, and the involvement of various agencies. It analyzes the key issues, the views of the victims, and the findings of the review, including lessons learned and professional challenges. The cases involve failures in child protection plans, communication, and interventions by social workers, health visitors, and hospitals. The analysis covers the impact of trauma on the children, the responsibilities of adults, and the need for better inter-agency collaboration to protect vulnerable children. The report also provides an action plan to improve child protection practices.

Social work for
Children and Family

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
AIMS AND KEY ISSUES .............................................................................................................4
CASE BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW..................................................................................4
ANALYSIS......................................................................................................................................6
VIEWS OF VICTIMS ....................................................................................................................6
KEY FINDINGS AND LESSONS..................................................................................................7
PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE AND ACTION PLANNING....................................................8
GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................10
Books and journals:...................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
The cases discussed here begins and ends with the report of a new born baby and a little girl with
a very beautiful smile. The new born baby Peter was a white male child recorded as Scottish
while the little girl was an enthusiastic and happy girl Victoria Climbie who was brought by her
relatives in the country for a better standard of living. Seeing the case background from mother's
side of domestic abuse the baby Peter and another girl Victoria Climbie were taken under the
subject of child protection plan and regulations for neglecting and abusing. The plan has an
intervention of numerous agencies that work for social care of health, family and the threat
caused to kid(Akin, and Gomi, 2017). Peter being an infant was not able to convey his sufferings
caused by family persons whereas the little girl conveyed her sufferings caused by his uncle
Kouao to agencies and her close family members. It has been also mentioned as to what
responses have been made by SCR in way of report regarding the abuses to little ones.

AIMS AND KEY ISSUES
The key issues detected from the cases discussed can be founded as to launch the examples to be
known from the proceeding about the manner in which localised occupational group and
organisational structure perform collectively to guard and encourage the benefit of younger age
groups (Baum, 2017).Distinguishing intelligibly what those teachings are, how they will be
enacting on as well as what is anticipated to alter as a consequence to modify inter-agency
performance and healthier precaution and boost the social betterment of younger age group.
CASE BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW
Overview of the crime happened with Victoria Climbie was very severe and griefing while
which goes on by beating and torturing her. Apart from painful crimes the food served to the
little girl was cold and served in a plastic plate while she was tied in bath and was forced to eat
like a dog by forcing push to her facial expressions. The uncle and aunt of little girl Victoria
Climbie, Kouao and Manning proofed Victoria similar to a dog which would be completely
biased worsened than a dog. She was tied with chain and beaten up by shoe, coat hanger,
cooking spoon of wood, hammer, football and with many other domestic articles (Terziev,
2017). Before her death she was tied up in cold and chilled bathroom lying on the floor covered
with her own urine and faeces. With the continuance of this ill treatment the relatives Victoria’s
great-aunt, Marie-Therese Kouao, and Carl John Manning were found guilty and condemned her
murder (Boat, Land, and Leslie, 2017). All of these were accepted and told by her uncle himself
at the time when he with his family members was found guilty of attempting heinous crime with
an innocent and happy little girl. In such critical conditions she was rushed to hospital. She was
alive but because of this she was not able to walk properly like a hunched old lady with a great
difficulty and she was found undernourished and distorted as mentioned by her medical
practitioner. The temperature was that low, which was not been able to measured by hospital's
thermometer. Even doctors were in a trauma as they has not seen such case like it before. After
several attempts and transferring her to paediatrics she was not able to survive and lost her
mortality.
On the occurrence of event when infant died, Peter was mere 17 months old. The family
background of mother was also violent and filled with domestic violence as she lived step father
and mother who in end also got separated due to death. Peter's mother met her husband and they
shifted to their new house. Prior to the birth of Peter, his parents has other kids, mother of infant

was possessed with depression(Bradley, and Rustin, 2018). As Peter's mother was known to
social services and about child protection registration, Peter was registered under SCR. They has
heath visits as mother was very young. Then after health visitors came timely to check and in
initial times found infant to be healthy and taking mother's milk. Thereafter, Peter was taken to
doctor and surgeries were telephoned in a time period of approximately 1 month. The reasons of
continuous injuries were like cough, nappy rashes, falling from stairs, swelling on head and other
parts of body(Steenrod, and Mirick,, 2017). Then he was again taken to Whittington Hospital
where injuries were seen on different parts of body and father was unaware of the situation. A
conclusion was found that injuries can be due to crawling. When excessive injuries were
detected Peter was kept in hospital and further inquiries were made. The mother was unable to
give a clear and valid explanation. With this peter was registered for abuse and neglecting, only
his father was the one who could calm and lessen the pain of baby after examination and
surgeries. Peter's mother was reportedly seen as abusing Peter's siblings and was forced to attend
parenting programme. Again Peter was hospitalised with the reason that he got injuries due to
playing with siblings, which was believed and baby was discharged without legal case( Buckley,
and McGregor, 2019)
. In the next visit health visitor found Peter healthy and active. After sometimes again he was
detected with injuries telling that they were caused by a family friend's child. Again and again
mother acted well showing good and healthy revelations with Peter whenever health visitors
visited. In the end, he was seen unwell because of viral unhealthiness. He had a foregone time
period of repeated forcefulness and repeated health problem, a past times of irregular behaviours,
aggressiveness, head-butting, head thumping and disorder, there was a possibility that he might
have some inherent metabolic upset. Then after one day mother of 17 months old called
ambulance and told that child took antibiotics and is not responding, and then he was declared
dead.
ANALYSIS
Grown ups who intentionally accomplishment of the weakness of younger age group
can act up in untrustworthy and forbidding manner. They will frequently go to conceal their
human activity from those taken up for the well-welfare of a minor. Personnels of social working
community and SCR many a times have to make do with the unforeseeable action of citizenry in
the parental duty. A minor can be seen harmless and blessed on one time and be bruised and

traumatised the next. The ones responsible for giving judgement often do so with the great
welfare of understanding. In that location was no subject matter or indication accessible to the
local agencies and professionals solely responsible and involved at the period of time that would
have led them to be able to anticipate the dramatic conclusion in the cases (Dansey, Shbero, and
John, 2019). The Written report is a realistic presentation of poor pattern session inside and
betwixt cultural work, police and health agencies. From the case studies of both the ill treated
kids, it can be analysed that who were the sole responsible people for conducting the crime.
There were people who were responsible for protecting and reversing the harm, but they were
easily manipulated and paid less focus upon the matter.
VIEWS OF VICTIMS
The baby Peter would have faced a lot of mental and physical trauma that would have affected
his future life. If the baby would have survived then whole life he would have been facing
medical issues like bruises on body, swelling, low weight, malnourishment, lack of required
proteins and vitamins. In context to mental health he would have been facing loneliness and
depression as non of his guardians and family members were in support of the baby Peter. This
would have made him suffered isolation. As the baby was not having any support and mother
was also suffering from depression, the kid would not have developed and grown as a healthy
being.
The little girl Victoria Climbie was already living away from her family with her relatives and
her relatives were not treating him properly, if she would have survived then also her relatives
would have tortured again and make her life more miserable. As she was devoid of proper
nutritions and vitamins, it would have been a task for her system to function properly and lead a
healthy life. Due to beating and tying her up with chains in bathroom in cold she had hunch in
her back which would make it impossible or hard to walk and her backbone would have been
stooped(Garbarino, 2017).
The kids suffered a lot in previous times by their guardians and parents and would suffer in
coming times by society and their peers as they are not physical and mental fit to deal with outer
world. The little girl was not exposed to outer world and what not having any idea how to deal
and being stooped and depressed, she would not be able to proceed her life happily and
healthily. The boy was an infant and without support of his mother and family members, he
would have been in depression and no skills generated to cope up(Golombok, 2017)

KEY FINDINGS AND LESSONS
From the above discussed cases, among Peter's death case it can be learnt that harm has been
caused to the baby due to believing on parents and local guardians. The investigating authorities
and child protection council were found lacking the clear demonstration of love and sense of
responsibility towards the child(Phoenix, and Boddy, 2017). The child was devoid of love and
concern and was continuously facing traumas of injuries and bruises on his body. The infant's
mother was not so far able to find it significant to bring out what has been occurred to the little
infant Peter and in what specific way who had grounded the injuries. From the first time only the
infant's mother was showing every possible communication that infant's mother should not
perform so. Administrative units were too misleaded and considered that infant's mother was of
good relationship of herself, her care of little ones, the composing of her family and the nature
of her friendly relationship communication system. After visual perception such legal proceeding
there was a sincere intellect to accept that she was not being honest about the injuries to her child
and the mother has misleaded the investigating authorities registered under SCR. From the study
this is also observed that non of the representative of the hospital medical team and paediatrics
were giving a clear report of the case as they were pressurised by an adult which has changed the
case and adulterated whole thing. The whole scenario was covered up by someone.
The children were deliberately treated and neither of the family member and adult were giving a
clear view of the incident taking place, this created a question mark on security of other two
children and their protection (Healy, and Thomas, 2020). When Peter was placed in anyone
else's custody despite of several injuries that also showed that mother was not responsible and
caring for the little one. When father again and again took infant to hospital for check-ups that
showed father was somewhat responsible and cared for the little kid Peter. Peter was ailing and
suffering at the sorting and there were even
in sight bruises. The doctor may have meant well in postponing the investigation
but even without the bruises there can be only one utter concept when a
minor susceptible to a child security plan presents in this way to a wellbeing
professional, he must be examined which was missing(Marsack, and Perry, 2018).
In case of Victoria’s injuries and at time of her death, her lungs, heart and kidneys failed seen at
the cause of post mortem. The torture which was happened with the little girl was so heinous that

there were several separate injuries to Victoria’s body and can be said that there really was not
anywhere that
part was spared – there was scarring all over the body. Therefore, in the space of just a few
months, Victoria had been transformed from
a healthy, lively, and happy little girl, into a wretched and broken wreck of a
human being.
The dying of little girl could have been saved when the social worker who was knowing all the
situation has taken the matter in concern properly. When social worker called and there was no
response, he was shocked. In this context he went to check at their place but there was no one
and he thought the family might have shifted some where else and closed the case. Parents were
very loving and caring of the child as they were concern about the education and standard of
living of their daughter, that is why they shifted her to Europe with her uncle and relatives. The
little girl was limited to meet outer world and was forced to stay in house not even frequent visits
to doctors, even after of bruises and traumas (Hood, Nilsson, and Habibi, 2019).
PROFESSIONAL CHALLENGE AND ACTION PLANNING
There were many local as well as governmental agencies were involved in bringing out the
decisions of crime. In same time as the kids were registered under child protection act and the
health visitors and social workers were regularly paying the visits and looking to the overall
situations, unaware of what all is hidden behind. When the families were not communicated they
were not bothered to go in a detailed procedure. The managing authority of localized services
should be extended and the responsible access should be extended to assess local requirement
and to react in accordance. The approaching time lies with those agent who can display the
capability to work efficaciously crosswise organisational boundaries which was missing.
Organisations lacked in providing effective and adaptable training so that work assigned could
be carried out easily.
For this SCR planned a separate Independent chair and published the report as as in the case can
be judged on a superiority level and results can be found out at an early time(Li, and Jiang,
2018).
In case of Peter, his family including mother, father, maternal grandmother and a family friend
were given invitation to come and tell their perception towards the matter but only Peter's father
took initiative and gave his perception. Others did not showed up. He was interviewed and were

inquired about the case relevant facts on which he agreed all the facts. The panel met several
times in between their results.
GLOSSARY
SCR- Serious Case Review

REFERENCES
Books and journals:
Akin, B.A. and Gomi, S., 2017. Noncompletion of evidence-based parent training: An empirical
examination among families of children in foster care. Journal of Social Service
Research, 43(1), pp.52-68.
Baum, N., 2017. Gender‐sensitive intervention to improve work with fathers in child welfare
services. Child & Family Social Work, 22(1), pp.419-427.
Boat, T.F., Land, M.L. and Leslie, L.K., 2017. Health care workforce development to enhance
mental and behavioral health of children and youths. JAMA pediatrics, 171(11),
pp.1031-1032.
Bradley, J. and Rustin, M., 2018. Work discussion: Learning from reflective practice in work
with children and families. Routledge.
Buckley, S.A. and McGregor, C., 2019. Interrogating institutionalisation and child welfare: The
Irish case, 1939–1991. European Journal of Social Work, 22(6), pp.1062-1072.
Dansey, D., Shbero, D. and John, M., 2019. Keeping secrets: How children in foster care manage
stigma. Adoption & Fostering, 43(1), pp.35-45.
Garbarino, J., 2017. Children and families in the social environment. Transaction Publishers.
Golombok, S., 2017. Disclosure and donor-conceived children. Human Reproduction, 32(7),
pp.1532-1536.
Healy, L.M. and Thomas, R.L., 2020. International social work: Professional action in an
interdependent world. Oxford University Press.
Hood, R., Nilsson, D. and Habibi, R., 2019. An analysis of Ofsted inspection reports for
children's social care services in England. Child & Family Social Work, 24(2), pp.227-
237.
Li, C. and Jiang, S., 2018. Social exclusion, sense of school belonging and mental health of
migrant children in China: A structural equation modeling analysis. Children and Youth
Services Review, 89, pp.6-12.
Marsack, C.N. and Perry, T.E., 2018. Aging in place in every community: Social exclusion
experiences of parents of adult children with autism spectrum disorder. Research on
aging, 40(6), pp.535-557.
Phoenix, A. and Boddy, J., 2017. Environment in the Lives of Children and Families:
Perspectives from India and the UK. Policy Press.
Spencer, N., 2018. The social determinants of child health. Paediatrics and Child Health, 28(3),
pp.138-143.
Stafford, L., 2017. ‘What about my voice’: emancipating the voices of children with disabilities
through participant-centred methods. Children's Geographies, 15(5), pp.600-613.
Steenrod, S. and Mirick, R., 2017. Substance use disorders and referral to treatment in
substantiated cases of child maltreatment. Child & Family Social Work, 22(3), pp.1141-
1150.
Terziev, V.K., 2017. The system of social services in Bulgaria and the process of
deinstitutionalisation of children. Инновационная наука, (3-1).