Child Deaths
The Board recognises that the death of a child is a tragedy for family and friends and is a loss to the wider community. We encourage agencies, likely to be involved at the point of death of a child, to ensure that, whenever possible, they will support parents, carers and relatives, enabling them to express their grief and, if they so wish, to have appropriate contact with the deceased child.
The board through its Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) will review the information in respect of every child death and will identify any case to be referred to the Serious Case Review Panel (if not already identified); any matters of concern affecting the safety and welfare of children in the area; and any wider public health or safety concerns arising from a particular death or from a pattern of deaths in the area.
The Board will also ensure that a ‘rapid response’ to any child death is undertaken in a co-ordinated manner. The West Mercia Protocol applies in such circumstances. The Protocol has been jointly developed by agencies within the Local Authorities of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, and, Telford & Wrekin which are coterminous with the five West Mercia Constabulary basic command units. The protocol is filed in the document library.
A set of joint operating procedures has been agreed between Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire overseen by a Child Death Overview Panel. The operating procedures together with the membership of this Panel and its terms of reference can also be found in the document library. Form B (including Form B for Education Only) and Form C are also available.
See also "Serious Case Review" in these procedures.