A serious case review (SCR) is usually held after children or young people have died or suffered serious harm, and abuse or neglect was known or suspected (and, in the non-fatal cases, there was cause for concern as to the way in which agencies had worked together to safeguard the child). This is a multi-agency process typically involving the local authority, police, health, education, and social care professionals.
SCRs were previously held for cases where a vulnerable adult had died, but these are now covered by Safeguarding Adults Reviews.
For more information, see
- CPS website: Child and Vulnerable Adult Case Reviews.
- NSPCC: Case reviews
- Department for Education: Working Together to Safeguard Children A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (July 2018)
See also: Practice Guidance (Family Courts: Serious Case Reviews) [2017] 1 WLR 1779 which clarifies what judges can and cannot do in relation to SCRs, having regard to judicial independence.