An independent review has found three “critical opportunities” to save six-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes were missed by authorities, according to Solihull Council. Arthur was tortured and killed by his father and stepmother in 2020. A photo depicting injuries consistent with actual bodily harm was received by the police and could have led to Arthur being “removed from a pathway to harm” had they investigated, the review found. The other two opportunities related to a welfare check and the sharing of photos with children’s social care.
The review was commissioned to assess safeguarding practice in Solihull, which had been under scrutiny for its children’s services. The local authority stated it would use the findings to ensure necessary changes are made and to improve safeguarding arrangements for children. West Midlands Police stated it would “embrace the learning”.
Ineqe Safeguarding Group’s report said the police’s over-reliance on previous contact was ill-informed and they should have responded to a direct allegation of physical abuse. The report added that possession of photos by statutory agencies “could and should have changed the course of this case”. The review concluded that intervention might have prevented Arthur’s murder.
Mr Paul Johnson, Solihull Council’s CEO, said positive progress is being made in addressing the authority’s recommendations following an inadequate rating by Ofsted in January 2023. He added the Ineqe review would be used to ensure necessary changes are made. West Midlands Police commented that Arthur’s death was incomprehensible and accepted the report’s finding, stating they would work with partners to embrace the learning.
(Editor’s note: This is a new article created by an AI language model, based on the original article.)
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