A case of parents neglecting a child because of their addiction to drink or drugs has led to doctors, health visitors, midwives and social workers being given extra training.
A review found a need for “considerable learning” as a result of the case.
Brighton and Hove Local Children Safeguarding Board said in its annual report that the review recommended
- Improvement in antenatal assessment processes
- Support for a GP practice on capacity related to safeguarding
- The need for more face-to-face meetings between health visitors, midwives and GPs, especially as community staff are less likely to be attached to a doctors surgery
- Improved assessment of parental capacity by agencies with adult clients
Separately the report said that a hospital consultant specialising in child protection medicals had been recruited by the trust in charge of the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
This happened after concerns were raised about whether there were enough suitably senior staff to provide prompt enough medicals in child protections cases.
The trust agreed that junior doctors needed better supervision and the quality of medical reports would be improved.
Brighton and Hove City Council also agreed to carry out a review of safeguarding in relation to adopted children after concerns came to light.
A confidential report will be shared with the safeguarding board’s Serious Case Review Panel.
