‘Missed chances’ to help tragic toddler
A review into the death of the toddler Liam Fee has found “missed opportunities” which could have “potentially prevented” the harm he suffered.
But the independent review found the Fife twoyear-old’s death at the hands of his mother and her civil partner death “could not have been predicted”.
The report makes 20 recommendations.
A significant case review into the death of a toddler murdered by his mother and her civil partner has found “missed opportunities across services” which could have “potentially prevented” the harm he suffered.
However, the independent review found that Liam Fee’s death “could not have been predicted” and the pair were “manipulative, devious and hindered services”.
Rachel Trelfa, now 32, and her partner Nyomi Fee, 30, were jailed for life last July for murdering two-year-old Liam at his home near Glenrothes, Fife, on 22 March, 2014, after subjecting him to more than two years of abuse and neglect.
The pair – originally from Tyne and Wear – were also behind a catalogue of cruelty against two boys in their care.
Their trial at the High Court in Livingston heard that a number of people had raised concerns about Liam’s wellbeing with social services, including staff at a nursery he attended.
Liam is referred to as Child C in the report, which has not been published in full due to protection concerns.
The review, on behalf of Fife Child Protection Committee by Dr Jacqueline Mok, found: “While the death of Child C could not have been predicted, there were missed opportunities across services to intervene to provide support to the family.
“This may have led to a better understanding of the treatment of the children living within the home and could potentially have prevented the harm Child C suffered at the hands of his mother and her partner, which subsequently led to his death. However, it must be understood that in many ways the manipulative and devious nature of the mother and her partner hindered this from happening.”
Liam was “not seen as a child in need of protection” against the backdrop of his mother and her partner’s controlling behaviour, the report states, with staff lacking “professional curiosity” and explanations given by Fee and Trelfa being at times accepted without challenge.
There were missed opportunities to uncover the abuse at child protection interventions instigated after a childminder and nursery staff noticed Liam had injuries, as his mother’s explanation that he was selfharming was accepted and at the first intervention no paediatric advice was sought.
The report states: “Had all the concerns been taken into account, the balance of probability would have led to the conclusion that the injuries and concerns were likely to be the result of abuse.”
Twenty recommendations have been made, including considering having mandatory child protection training for GPS and ensuring all children with concerning injuries are examined by paediatricians.
Alan Small, chairman of Fife’s Child Protection Committee, said: “We deeply regret that our services did not do more to support Liam.”