Make a referral
A Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) seeks to learn from situations where children have died or have been seriously harmed.
Safeguarding partners have a responsibility to inform the other partners of serious incidents they think should be considered for a practice review.
Serious incidents are those in which:
- The child has died or has been seriously harmed and;
- Abuse or neglect of the child is known or suspected and is directly linked to the serious harm or death.
Defining serious harm is sometimes difficult. In cases of physical injury, serious harm is that which is life-threatening or life-changing (e.g., catastrophic brain injury), though persistence, severity and the context of wider neglect should also be considered. Fractures would not ordinarily be considered serious unless accompanied by internal injuries.
Emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, may also reach the threshold for serious harm. Consideration should be given to severity, extent, and persistence and how this may have impacted on the child's wellbeing and development.
If you are aware of a serious incident that you believe meets the above criteria and requires the KSCMP Executive to consider notifying to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, you must be able to evidence 'yes' with the following before making a referral:
- The child has died or has been seriously harmed
- Abuse or neglect is known or suspected and is directly linked to the death or serious harm
- The child is normally resident in Kent, or the incident occurred in Kent
- The case highlights potential learning for the safeguarding system, i.e., not just one agency
- You have agreement to refer from your KSCMP Executive representative (for Health providers, Kent Police, and Kent County Council) or senior safeguarding lead in your organisation.
If the answer is 'yes' to all of the above, please complete the referral form. If you have any questions, please contact the KSCMP Business Team at kscmp@kent.gov.uk.
Further resources: