KHYRA DEATH:  COUNCIL PROBE BEGINS

24-05-2008

The death of Khyra Ishaq – the seven year old thought to have starved to death in Handsworth – has prompted a serious case review by Birmingham City Council.  Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood had called for the investigation as soon as news of Khyra’s death emerged this week.

As the Council’s statement released on Friday made clear, there’s always an enquiry when a child dies in circumstances suggesting neglect.

They won’t be able to publish the findings until the court proceedings have been completed.

Here’s their comment in full:  “A serious case review into the death of Khyra Ishaq has been officially started today (23 May 2008) after a meeting of the Birmingham Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB), an independent, cross-agency body.

"A serious case review will always be conducted when a child dies and abuse or neglect is known or suspected to be a factor. 

"The death of Khyra Ishaq is however the matter of a criminal and coroner's investigation and therefore the BSCB will not impede or compromise these investigations.  

"Results of this serious case review will be made public sometime after the completion of the criminal process. The findings will be issued to OFSTED and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

"Statutory guidance is being followed by launching a serious case review; pupils and teachers at Khyra Ishaq's school, Grove Primary School, in Handsworth, are being supported by city council psychologists; and the council has provided public statements each day since the case became public on Tuesday (21 May 2008).

"Birmingham City Council Chief Executive, Stephen Hughes, spoke to local MP, Khalid Mahmood by telephone yesterday to update and reassure him on the case, he followed this up with a letter today and committed to keep Mr Mahmood informed throughout.

"As part of the formal processes, each service involved in child protection, both within the council and other public agencies, will be carrying out an internal management review.

"This is partly to provide information to other investigations but equally importantly it is to find out if there are any gaps in the processes, procedures or guidance (statutory and otherwise) which could have made a difference. If any are found, immediate changes will be made without waiting for the findings of the investigations. 

"Khyra's death is a tragedy and our thoughts are with her family, friends and the local community within which she lived. And all those people can be reassured that the city council and all other agencies involved are doing everything they can to find out what happened and look after her brothers and sisters to the best of our ability.

"The city council is seeking to ensure that the privacy of Khyra's brothers and sisters is respected."

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