Council to work with child protection in wake of neglect of 2-year-old girl
GLASGOW City Council has said they will work with the Child Protection Committee to act on the recommendations of a report produced following the death of tot Lauren Wade.
We revealed yesterday that the tragic two-year-old died after she went without proper food or care for months at a filthy flat in the city’s Sighthill.
Her parents Margaret Wade, 38, and Marie Sweeney, 37, are behind bars awaiting sentencing after they admitted to her horrific neglect.
The youngster was rushed to hospital in March 2015, but died around 30 minutes later.
A judge heard how Lauren was dirty, severely underweight and riddled with ‘thousands’ of head lice at the time.
Two older children who lived with the pair also suffered, but fortunately survived.
The Child Protection Committee immediately initiated a Significant Case Review following the tragedy.
The recommendations made in the review have not been made public.
A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said: “This was a highly distressing case and following the death of Lauren, the Child Protection Committee immediately initiated a Significant Case Review.
“This was completed in February 2016, but has not been published on the specific request of the Crown Office.
“Glasgow City Council, as a key member of the Child Protection Committee, will work with the committee to act on and cascade the learning of the key findings and recommendations as a matter of urgency.”
Colin Anderson, Independent Chairman of the multiagency Child Protection Committee in Glasgow, added: “This was a tragic and unnecessary death and it is right that Lauren’s mother and her partner will be held to account for their actions.
“The Child Protection Committee has already conducted a Significant Case Review into the circumstances surrounding Lauren’s death and the neglectful care of her siblings.
“Instruction from the Crown Office over the past couple of years while this case was being prepared has prevented the full dissemination of the learning from this Significant Case Review across universal services in the city.”
Mr Anderson stated that a summary of the findings and recommendations can now be disseminated early in the New Year to facilitate learning across children’s services in the city.