A Serious Case Review (SCR) is undertaken when abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected; and either the child has died; or the child has been seriously harmed and there is cause for concern as to the way organisations worked together. The purpose of a SCR is for agencies and individuals to learn lessons that improve the way in which they work, both individually and collectively, to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The City & Hackney Safeguarding Children Board (CHSCB) has a sub-committee which oversees and quality assures all the SCRs undertaken by the Board, and provides advice on whether the criteria for conducting a review have been met. Any professional or agency may refer a case to the CHSCB to consider whether the criteria is met for a SCR. The Independent Chair makes the decision of whether to instigate a SCR.

After the completion of a SCR, there is n ow an expectation that final report is published in full. The report will include information on the review process, key issues arising from the case and recommendations / key issues for the CHSCB to consider. Additional information and guidance in relation to Serious Case Reviews can be found in the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015.

In addition to SCRs, the CHSCB also undertakes Multi-Agency Case Reviews. These reviews do not meet the SCR criteria, but are considered to offer good opportunities to identify relevant learning and ways in which multi-agency practice to safeguard children and young people can be improved locally.