Abuse case review won't be published

A report by the Serious Case Review Panel into how Manx authorities failed a child who was abused by their father and step-mother won’t be released.

Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw, in a written answer to a Tynwald question from Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan this week, said publishing the report would identify the girl involved.

The review, by independent chair of the SCB Barbara Trevanion, was launched after the father and step-mother admitted charges of causing significant harm to the child, identified only as Child Y, in October 2011.

In the report, it says the abuse and neglect took place over years before medical professionals picked up the case when the child went to hospital in July 2010 with facial injuries.

In the review panel’s report, it says there are shortcomings in the culture of agencies relating to safeguarding children, and that decision-making and information-sharing need to be improved at the Department of Education.

The Department of Social Care has been asked to introduce procedures to make sure its failings in the case aren’t repeated – and it must change its culture, attitude and decision-making.
The document also recommends staff at the Island’s Children’s Centre receive training to support vulnerable children, describing the need as “urgent”.

And it also says the Department of Social Care should set up an external inspection and evaluate all its procedures, policies and activity to make sure they’re fit for purpose.

The SCB will report to the Council of Ministers next month, detailing progress being made to carry out its recommendations.