Embedded Files
Child X was born in early 2021 and made subject to an interim care order shortly after birth due to parental history of substance misuse and domestic violence. The baby remained a child in care until the sudden death three months later.
The carers had been identified at short notice through an Independent Fostering Agency and were well known as foster carers for older children but had not cared for such a young baby previously.
There was a recognition by some of the agencies that the house was untidy and not in a good state when the baby was placed with the foster carers.
Emerging themes of learning
Emerging themes of learning
Professionals recorded that safe sleeping advice was provided to the carers but there is a lack of details about the context and the information provided in the records;
There can be assumptions made that it is the responsibility of health professionals to provide the advice, yet it can be other workers who witnessed the sleeping arrangements and need to respond;
The state of the home was not assessed in relation to placing the baby with the carers;
The focus seemed to be on the birth mother’s contact with the baby, which suggests assumptions were made by professionals about not needing to be vigilant about the baby’s welfare whilst in care;
There were limited checks made on the sleeping arrangements during home visits to the foster carers by key professionals;
The impact of virtual contacts also needs to be considered in the context of the pandemic;
The cultural competence within agencies, in relation to a baby placed with foster carers from a different culture will need further exploration.
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