1.14.8 Unexpected Death of a Child Procedure

Contents

1. Definition
2. Overview
3. Regulations
4. Further Considerations

1. Definition

Unexpected deaths are defined in Working Together as:

'Where the death was not anticipated as a significant possibility 24 hours before the death, or where there was a similarly unexpected collapse leading to or precipitating the events that led to the death'.

2. Overview

Children who die suddenly and unexpectedly at the Home or in the community should normally be taken to an A&E department rather than a mortuary, and resuscitation should always be initiated unless clearly inappropriate. Where a child is not taken immediately to A&E, the professional confirming the fact of death should inform the designated paediatrician with responsibility for unexpected deaths in childhood at the same time as the coroner is informed.

For all unexpected deaths of children (including those not seen in A&E) urgent contact should be made with any other agencies as stated in schedule 5 of the Children's Homes Regulations and other relevant professionals (i.e. the coroner, the police and local authority children's social care) to inform them of the child's death. 

Contact may be required with more than one local authority if the child died away from the Home and away from the LSCB in which they are normally resident.

3. Regulations

The Children's Homes Regulations Part II set out what is to be done in relation to any notifiable events; of which death of a child is one as listed in column 1 of the table of notifiable events - Schedule 5.

3.1 Notifications

If a death of a child accommodated in the Home occurs, the Registered Manager must immediately inform their Line Manger who will liaise with the Responsible Individual .

If a death of a child accommodated in the Home occurs the registered person shall, without delay (and not exceeding 24 hours), notify the:

• (Regulating Authority)
• Placing Authority (of the deceased child)
• Secretary of State / Welsh Assembly
• Local Authority (LSCB)
• Health Authority (HSE)

The registered person shall, without delay, notify the parent of the child; unless to do so is not reasonably practicable or would place the welfare of individuals at risk.

Any notification given to any of the above that has been conducted orally must also be confirmed in writing.

3.2 Recording

Notifiable Events must be recorded on the Appropriate Notifiable Event Form  and an Incident Report Form .

The Regulatory Authority

ENGLAND: The Regulatory Authority for England is Ofsted, for information about informing Ofsted of Notifiable Events, go to the following link: Click here for Ofsted Guidance re Notification of Serious Incident in a Children’s Home.

WALES: The Regulatory Authority for Wales is CSSIW, the form that should be completed and forwarded to CSSIW can be downloaded and completed: Click Here to download the form (this will open up in a new window).

4. Further Considerations

The Registered Manager will:

1. Immediately inform the Responsible Individual by telephone and provide follow up information in writing as soon as possible afterwards;
2. Advise Company Legal Services, initially by telephone, then confirm details in writing; and
3. Contact the relevant Insurance or Finance Department , initially by telephone and then in writing.
4. Consult the Responsible Individual about the need for an internal multi-disciplinary  review of the case and if so, inform the appropriate person to conduct the review
5. Arrange to inform other relevant agencies  about the death and request that they secure their files where a review is likely to be required

4.1 Needs of Staff and other Children

During the implementation of this procedure consideration must be given to the needs of those staff , carers and other Children involved in the case.

The impact of a child death needs to be addressed in terms of:

• The need for counselling for those involved
• The manner in which such support is offered
• The provision of access to legal and professional advice about the ongoing conduct of the case
• The provision of a clear explanation of the process of the case
• Support for staff in the event of Police investigation/interviews
• The need to inform and keep informed any relevant Trades Unions
• The need for team debriefing whilst observing confidentiality. This must be discussed with the Responsible Individual
• The need to acknowledge that a child death can impact on the productivity of any team and its ability to function; and the need to agree strategies to manage workloads.

Please note that Files must be retained for 15 years following the death of a child.

End