This episode looks at the Child Safeguarding Practice Review published by Lambeth Safeguarding Children Partnership into Mara’s experiences. This review was initiated due to suspected child sexual exploitation (CSE) of a 15-year-old girl in November 2022. Mara was found with two adult males after going missing from foster care. Mara also alleged physical and sexual assault from her foster carers. Mara has a genetic condition, atypical autism and additional needs.

Learning themes include:

-Information sharing and multi-agency safeguarding responses 

-Confusion around processes (ensuring Section 47 processes are not absorbed into other processes)  

-The difference between strategy meetings and professional meetings

-Ensuring all relevant parties are invited to meetings and minutes are clearly recorded and stored

-Lack of suitable emergency and specialist provision 

-Deprivation of Liberty – see Ofsted Guidance: Placing children: deprivation of liberty orders, Research In Practice: Deprivation of Liberty and 16 and 17 year olds, 

-Voice of the child

-Missed opportunities where interventions and support don’t meet the needs of the child