Violet’s murder ‘not preventable’

HAPPIER times . . . Claire Flanagan and little Violet

76 recommendations made to reduce the risk of a repeat
A SERIOUS case review into Oldham tot Violet Mullen has concluded that her murder could not have been predicted or prevented.

But the investigation has highlighted how neighbours raised repeated concerns about child welfare and that social workers could have probed further when assessing the case.

The review made 76 recommendations outlining how professionals can improve assessments and communication to reduce the risks of a repeat.

The tragic tot was battered to death by her mum’s violent new boyfriend on January 12, last year, only weeks after she moved him in to their Huddersfield Road home in Waterhead to spite an ex-lover.

Gary Alcock (28) was jailed for life in November, to serve a minimum of 21 years. Violet’s mum Claire Flanagan (22) was sentenced to five years for causing or allowing her death.

Sixteen-month old Violet was admitted to hospital with multiple injuries akin to those of a high-speed car crash.

Steroid abuser Alcock had subjected Violet to repeated violence in the three weeks leading up to her death before delivering a fatal blow when her crying interrupted his computer game.

Oldham’s Local Safeguarding Children Board (OLSCB) yesterday published an executive summary of its review, which was launched to identify any lessons to be learned by professional services and to help ensure children are better protected in the future.

Alcock had two children who were subject to a Child Protection Plan and had been convicted of an offence of domestic abuse against his children’s mother.

But the review states there had been no prior evidence of physical abuse to Flanagan’s three children and she had always sought medical care for them when required.

It concluded: “There are no indicators of risk which would suggest that either the mother or her partner posed a risk of significant harm or physical abuse.”

But the review did find that:

:: There were occasions when communication and multi-agency working would have been better achieved through more focussed, jointly owned and commonly understood plans.

*There was a need for social workers to be more probing and questioning when undertaking assessments.

::The Probation Service needs to take a proactive role in identifying and acting upon risks to children though changes in offender relationships and lifestyles.

::Practitioners need to develop a greater understanding of issues in relation to domestic violence and the consequences on children.

::There’s a need to improve recording of multi-agency meetings on children.

::The housing provider received a great deal of information about the children that was not always shared with Children’s Social Care or other relevant agencies.

::Assessments and services were insufficiently attuned to the role of fathers and the presence of men in households.

Amongst the recommendations the review calls for OLSCB to promote a multi-agency training programme on domestic abuse, to seek reassurance from Children’s Social Care that no assessments are closed until all sources of information have been accessed and for better communication between agencies.

OLSCB chairman Jim Leivers said: “It is with great sadness that we publish this report into the death of Violet Mullen, whose life was so tragically cut short by those she looked to for care and love.

“Oldham’s Children’s Services are rated amongst the best in the country but – whilst this review shows that Violet’s death could not have been prevented by any of the professionals or agencies who knew the family – our objective is to honour Violet’s memory by learning all possible lessons.

“The OLSCB have fully accepted the recommendations arising from the Serious Case Review. In December 2010 we held three multi-agency presentations to embed these key findings. These were attended by a total of 80 local multi-agency professionals.

“Everyone involved in this case has been shocked and saddened by Violet’s death. Quite simply, we can never let our guard down – and all are determined to do whatever we can to prevent any similar tragedy occurring in the future.”

Ofsted has also completed an independent evaluation of the review, which it graded as good, and agreed with the conclusion.