1. Alex Walters-Independent Overview Author
Welcome opportunity to share learning
Recognition of the significant harm experienced by children who were victims of adults who abused their positions of trust and our thanks to those who responded to the public appeal
Purpose of any Serious Case Review- to focus on learning and improvement-not blame

2. Voices heard by the Serious Case Review
Victim- their desired outcome “I want to make sure things change”
Perpetrators- described by victims as important and respected and they felt no one would listen
Victims and practitioners wanted recognition that children’s behaviour ie absconding/challenging seen by professionals as troublesome not troubled and no one asks the question –why?

3. National context
National spotlight and media interest remains high on SCRs- ie, Rotherham, Bristol, Baby P, Daniel Pelka, Poppi Worthington
WT 13/15-New systems methodologies introduced to undertake SCRs more flexibly
National SCR Panel of Experts established- July 13 and 3 Annual reports published
New Children and Social Work Bill will differentiate national SCRs and local case reviews but no criteria
Triennial Review of SCRs by UEA/Warwickshire published 2016

4. Learning from Triennial Review of SCRs-2011-14
Because of, and in spite of, their challenging behaviours, vulnerable young people must feel that someone is ‘there for them’ and that they are heard
Young people with damaging early histories coupled with the impact of these experiences on their self-esteem have little reason to trust those in authority and may present challenging and disruptive behaviours

5. Key SCR national and local messages
Failure to revise judgements in light of new information
Rule of Optimism
Lack of Professional Curiosity
Lack of Professional Challenge within and between agencies- escalation and whistle blowing.

6. WEST BERKS -SCR PROCESS
Highly complex SCR given breadth of organisations involved and not focused on a family
Learning identified for all organisations involved
SCR Panel established to provide oversight
6 Individual Management Reviews (IMRs) and 8 Information and Analysis Reports (IARs) plus chronologies provided and discussed together
Public Appeal and discussion with victims and practitioners

7. KEY LEARNING Key learning identified in this SCR for all involved:
A) Organisations/institutions
B) Statutory agencies who respond to allegations
C) National learning

8. KEY LEARNING- A-Safe organisational cultures
Evidence is required of:
Escalation, challenge and whistle blowing procedures and their use and outcome
Safe recruitment practice irrespective of role and status
Safeguarding training undertaken of key roles and refreshed and monitored

9. SAFE ORGANISAL CULTURE
Responding to low level concerns about staff to enable a full picture to emerge
Responding to concerns involving senior staff/positions of trust must be undertaken –”the myth of a pillar of the community cannot be an abuser must be tackled-CEOP 2013”
Ensuring all disciplinary processes conclude irrespective of status or if left organisation.

10. KEY LEARNING-education settings
Need for independence in governance arrangements in schools particularly Academies as less LA oversight
Role of school governors to provide independent scrutiny and challenge and to evidence this through S.11 assessment.

11. B-STATUTORY PARTNERS
Function of the LADO –role of oversight and management of allegations and capacity to follow up internal organisational processes and escalate.
Criminal Justice agencies- focus on victims in child sexual abuse allegations and make use of public appeals
Adult services -need to appropriately respond to historical allegations of sexual abuse .

12. C- NATIONAL LEARNINNG
National learning on omissions of positions in the Sexual Offences 2003 legislation ie non LA youth workers
Clarity required on the national responsibility for the Quality Assurance and oversight role for safeguarding within Academies

13. KEY MESSAGES
Listen to children- ensure that you have robust systems to facilitate this including access to independent people which is transparent and publicised.
Retain and practice professional curiosity –ask more questions/follow up and escalate.

14. SCR Recommendations:LSCB
Relaunch programme of safer recruitment and safe organisational culture training/awareness
Review the Section 11/Section 175 audit tool to include evidence ie outcomes of disciplinary processes
Continue to review the pan Berks escalation policy
Audit all existing whistle blowing policies and their use.

15. SCR Recommendations-LSCB
Consider how to raise awareness of need for vigilance and professional curiosity
Recommend to all organisations that disciplinary procedures conclude irrespective of the status of the employee or if they have left.

16. SCR Recommendations- Faith sector
Further active engagement in the LSCB work and proportionate S.11 processes.
Activities undertaken by Church/youth work settings adhere to same safeguarding policies and procedures and recognise inherent risk
Request Diocese of Oxford share their learning with wider faith sector and LSCBs.

17. SCR Recommendations- Education settings
School governors, especially safeguarding leads engage in training and understand roles and responsibilities including S.11.
Schools involved in this SCR act as champions and share learning with wider school community
All schools to consider how to provide children with access to a trusted independent person which is clearly publicised.

18. SCR recommendations-Local Authority
Review the statutory LADO function and the capacity to undertake its strategic oversight function
The Local Authority to re-instate the Designated Leads Forum for safeguarding leads in schools.

19. SCR Recommendations-Criminal Justice agencies
All agencies to recognise the impact of proceedings on child victims and their welfare paramount
Investigations of historical sexual abuse to consider potential other victims and ensure use of public appeals
LSCB to monitor impact of delays in review of indecent images on partner agencies ability to conclude HR processes.

20. SCR Recommendations-National
Highlight omissions from Sexual Offences legislation
Request DfE, Regional Schools Commissioners and the Education Funding Agency review the effectiveness of current arrangements for the national governance and accountability of safeguarding within academies.

21. KEY Messages for today
Thanks and recognition for the work you do every day to protect children and young people
Reflect on the presentations/workshops and how the learning will impact on your practice
Enjoy the day- provides the chance to network with colleagues and space to reflect .

22. Final thought
How can you ensure that you personally and we collectively achieve the outcome of the victim who said he wanted “things to change” for children.
Any questions/ comments??