Annual Report Highlights Persistent Challenges in Child Safeguarding
31 December 2024
The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has published its Annual Report for 2023 to 2024, shedding light on ongoing issues within the child safeguarding system.
The report analyses serious child safeguarding incidents, identifying patterns and areas needing improvement to enhance the protection of vulnerable children.
Key themes from the report include:
- Mental Health Needs – A significant number of cases involved children with unmet mental health needs, highlighting the necessity for integrated mental health support within safeguarding practices.
- Parental Mental Health – Children’s safety is often compromised when parents with mental health issues do not receive adequate support, underscoring the need for holistic family interventions.
- Extrafamilial Harm – Risks outside the family, such as exploitation and serious youth violence, continue to pose significant threats, requiring coordinated multi-agency responses.
The report emphasises the importance of learning from past incidents to inform future practices. It calls for strengthened partnerships among agencies, improved training for professionals, and a child-centred approach to safeguarding.
This annual report serves as a vital resource for understanding the complexities of child safeguarding and the continuous efforts needed to protect vulnerable children effectively.