Baby boy abused after Leeds officials put him in father's care - serious case review

The review, commissioned by Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership, details how Leeds City Council secured an interim care order for the boy prior to his birth in autumn 2015.

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His mother had previously had a child taken into care and was not considered able to care for him.

The boy, referred to as 'Billy', was placed with foster carers while an assessment was made about whether adoption or placement with his biological father would be in his best interests.

Neglect had been identified as a possible risk factor and some concerns had been raised by those involved in the case, but a judge approved council plans to place Billy with his father and partner for a four-week assessment in September 2016.

Three weeks into the interim placement, it emerged that Billy had suffered "serious and extensive" injuries and he was removed from his father's care.

According to the review, a paediatric medical examination found Billy had fractured right and left legs as well as a fractured arm that was healing. There was also bruising to the inside and back of his left ear.

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A police investigation began, which resulted in Billy's father receiving a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to neglect.

Billy, who was born with complex health needs, is now subject to a care order and has been placed with prospective adopters.

Review author Sharda Parthasarathi noted the "enormous commitment and passion" that all involved in this case had shown towards establishing what was in Billy's best interests, although there was not always agreement from everyone about what was best.

She found evidence of good practice, including social workers making comprehensive assessments and working with Billy's father and his partner to improve their capacity to care for him.

There was also evidence of good information sharing and of those involved ensuring the option for Billy to remain with family had been fully tested before all ties were severed and he was put up for adoption.

But the review found missed opportunities for different agencies to create effective plans together and that additional meetings without family present may have allowed some concerns to be explored more fully.

It said an existing procedure for resolving concerns was not effectively concluded and professionals "did not appropriately consider the links between persistent crying with increased parental stress that can serve as a trigger for abuse".

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A Learning from Reviews document has now been published by the safeguarding partnership to share key lessons with professionals.