Child Death Reviews

Since 1st April 2008, Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) are required to be notified of the death of any child under 18 years whether from natural, unnatural, known or unknown causes, at home, in hospital or in the community. The purpose is to:

  1. collect and analyse information about all local childhood deaths (0-18) with a view to identifying:
    1. cases requiring serious case review
    2. matters of concern affecting the safety and welfare of children
    3. wider public health or safety concerns arising from a particular death or from a pattern of deaths
  2. undertake a co-ordinated agency response to all unexpected deaths of children

The three LSCBs in Essex (Southend, Essex and Thurrock) have jointly developed a Child Death Review Process to satisfy these requirements.

The latest guidance documents and forms for professionals can now be accessed via the Essex Safeguarding Children Board website by visiting www.escb.co.uk and then following the link for Child Death Reviews and Rapid Response. You can visit the page direct via the link below:

Information for those affected by the death of a child

To lose a child is the most devastating experience any parent has to face. The Child Death Helpline aims to provide a quality freephone service to all those affected by the death of a child under any circumstances, and however long ago.

Further information can be accessed at www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk