Under the Government guidance 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006' local areas may commission a serious case review in cases where a child dies or sustains serious injuries, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor. The purpose of serious case reviews is to:
- establish whether there are lessons to be learnt from the case about the way in which local professionals and organisations work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
- identify clearly what those lessons are, how they will be acted on, and what is expected to change as a result; and
- as a consequence, improve inter-agency working and better safeguard and promote the welfare of children. (p.170 Working Together to Safeguard Children HM Government 2006)