Victoria Climbie - 2000:

Victoria Climbie was born in Abobo, Côte d’Ivoire, and was sent by her parents to live with her great-aunt in London when she was 8. She traveled to England to experience a better education and quality of life than she could have had in Africa. Instead, she suffered months of neglect and physical abuse, before passing away from from severe organ failure in Feb 2000.

Her great-aunt, and her boyfriend were arrested for her murder. At the time of her death, Victoria had over 128 injuries. 

In 2001, an inquiry was launched and by 2003, 108 recommendations were made at the outcome of the investigation. The conclusion stated that Victoria's death was preventable, had agencies worked in a joined-up way. It further stated that although the Children's Act 1989 was sound, it had gaps, thus the Children's Act 2004 was produced to amend the 1989 act.

Baby P - 2007:

Peter Connolly was a 17-month-old boy who was killed after suffering months of abuse at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and a lodger. Before his death, Peter had been visited 60 times by the local authorities, and 10 agencies were involved with him and his family. 8 months before his death, Peter was placed on a child at risk register. 

After his death in August 2007, an inquiry looked into the practices of those agencies, whose insufficient actions had failed to protect him. Key failings were identified, including a lack of professional curiosity, openness and transparency; failure to protect siblings, poor response by local authorities, and a lack of awareness of who was caring for Peter.

The outcome of this investigation lead to the creation of the 'working together to safeguard children' document in 2010, and the set up of the governments Social Work Task-force. 

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes - 2020:

Arthur was a six year old boy who died in June 2020 at the hands of his father's girlfriend. His father was also jailed for manslaughter. Arthur had been placed in his father's care as his mother had been arrested for murder herself.

Despite family members repeatedly reporting concerns around bruising on Arthur, in April 2020, it was decided no further investigation was needed.

It was found that Arthur wasn't individually nor independently heard, and that professionals' opinions of his father as a "protective factor" was never challenged. Additionally, no one considered any risk that could be posed by his father's girlfriend.

Finally the proper pathways were not followed in relation to suspected child abuse, meaning that concerns went unchecked.

Star Hobson - 2020:

Star was a 16-month old toddler, who was murdered by her mother's partner in September 2020. Her mother was also charged with causing her death.

Social workers visited Star at her family home on multiple occasions following concerns from friends and family, including her father who submitted photos. Her grandfather also had a video showing bruising to Star's face which was sent to the police who were unable to make contact with the family.

People that were concerned about Star were not listened to and solitary visits were insufficient to build a picture of what life was like for Star.

Domestic abuse was known about between her mother and her girlfriend but this wasn't considered in assessments.

Kaylea Titford - 2020:

Kaylea was a 16 year old girl with Spina Bifida who lived in Wales with her parents. Kaylea used a wheelchair and was dependent on others for her care as she had limited mobility. 

Kaylea died in October 2020 and had not been seen by a medical professional for the previous 9 months - since January 2020. 

By the time of her death she had a BMI of 70 and was found in appalling conditions surrounded by human waste and maggots. She had been bedbound - despite previously being an outgoing active teenager with a talent for wheelchair basketball - throughout the COVID lockdown.

Her parents were charged with neglect in 2023.

A safeguarding review is underway following the investigation into her parents. Likely recommendations surely will cover the impact of COVID on vulnerable children and safeguarding, as well as the monitoring of medically vulnerable children by health professionals.

This list is not exhaustive and there are certainly other cases that have made the news and also others that haven't, but this is a selection to show you how child protection can go wrong, and why we should never be complacent.

References:

Unit Law - Remembering Victoria Climbie

Virtual College - Serious Case Review Baby P

Trafford Council - Summary of the National Review into the Murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson

UK Goverrnment - Increased Sentencing for Kaylea Titford's Parents

BBC News - Kaylea Titford': Parents jailed