Management Information Sheet

On 25 June 2019, Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board published a report on the Serious Case Review - Case AB.

Babies AB1 and AB2 were both under three-months-old when they died as a result of suffocation, caused by overlaying. Both children lived with parents where there were concerns about substance misuse problems and crowded accommodation. They died after co-sleeping with their parents. AB1's mother and both parents of AB2 were convicted of neglect, in relation to the deaths of their babies.

Learning points included:

• Reviewing the safer sleeping messages given and pro-actively raising awareness of the dangers of co-sleeping;
• Involving fathers/partners to ensure they understand the safer sleeping messages and inviting them to be present at visits;
• Ensuring there is evidence of who was invited to CIN meetings, who attended, clear actions and minutes of the meeting being shared.

All Designated Safeguarding Leads are encouraged to read through the report and consider current practice in light of the learning. The Report and a PowerPoint briefing to cascade to staff are available from the NSCB website as follows:

• Case AB Report 2019
• Case AB SCR Summary of Learning Powerpoint 2019

David Ashcroft, NSCB Independent Chair, has also written a statement on behalf of the Board.