Yesterday saw the release of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review into the horrific murder of Sara Sharif. It is one of the most harrowing and heartbreaking reports I have ever read.
It lays bare the systemic failure of the state to protect a vulnerable child from abusive family members.
Although ultimate responsibility for her death lies with her violent father, stepmother and uncle, it is clear there were many opportunities for intervention by the authorities that were missed.
The litany of failures is truly shocking. Sara was placed under the care of her father and stepmother by the Family Court on the basis of a report by an inexperienced social worker which omitted her father's history of domestic abuse. Appropriate action wasn't taken when she presented with bruises, in spite of her school repeatedly reporting to Surrey Children's Services. And after she was withdrawn from school to be home educated, the usual home visit by the Council was delayed, but when it did finally happen, they visited the wrong address. She was murdered the next day.
It is vitally important that the recommendations in the report are fully implemented to prevent this level of systemic catastrophic failure again. I welcome Surrey County Council's commitment to the local recommendations, however these alone are not enough to address the fundamental cultural issues which contributed to this tragedy or to begin the process of rebuilding public confidence.
A beautiful, joyful little girl was abused, tortured and killed. She should have been better protected by the local authority and other agencies. Responsibility for identified failures must be taken, and I urge senior officers to reflect on their role in this case. Surrey Children's Services must move forwards with child safeguarding at the helm.
