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Baby abuse death caused by errors Errors ahead of baby abuse death
(about 2 hours later)
Errors by social services allowed a baby to stay with her violent father and incompetent mother before she was shaken to death, a review has found.Errors by social services allowed a baby to stay with her violent father and incompetent mother before she was shaken to death, a review has found.
Alisha Allen was considered at risk by officials in Sunderland but when her parents moved to County Durham, the family were downgraded to "in need". Alisha Allen was considered "at risk" by officials in Sunderland, but when her parents moved to County Durham, the case was downgraded to "in need".
Gary Allen, 26, admitted killing the five-month-old in 2007.Gary Allen, 26, admitted killing the five-month-old in 2007.
The review, released on Friday, found there was poor information sharing between the agencies involved.The review, released on Friday, found there was poor information sharing between the agencies involved.
Allen of Torrens Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland admitted killing the baby during a "sudden loss of control" and was jailed in September for five years. Allen of Torrens Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland, admitted killing the baby during a "sudden loss of control" and was jailed in September for five years.
Her mother Claire Morton, 31, of Chester-le-Street, admitted causing or allowing the baby's death.Her mother Claire Morton, 31, of Chester-le-Street, admitted causing or allowing the baby's death.
All of the agencies involved are extremely sorry about the death of Alisha Gail Hopper, chair of Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board
She was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.She was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.
All of the agencies involved are extremely sorry about the death of Alisha Gail Hopper, chair of Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board
A Serious Case Review was launched which found there was poor assessment, planning and information-sharing by the agencies which was made worse by gaps in supervision and case management.A Serious Case Review was launched which found there was poor assessment, planning and information-sharing by the agencies which was made worse by gaps in supervision and case management.
The review concluded: "There was no one failing in this case that can conclusively be said to have been the major factor that failed to protect Alisha, rather a series of cumulative errors that were either not picked up or not pro-actively addressed."The review concluded: "There was no one failing in this case that can conclusively be said to have been the major factor that failed to protect Alisha, rather a series of cumulative errors that were either not picked up or not pro-actively addressed."
The independent review looked at the children's services departments at Durham County Council and Sunderland City Council, and health services provided by the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust and Sunderland Primary Care Trust.The independent review looked at the children's services departments at Durham County Council and Sunderland City Council, and health services provided by the City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust and Sunderland Primary Care Trust.
Transferring services
Morton and Allen moved two miles from Penshaw, Wearside, to Bournmoor, County Durham, when their baby was two months old.Morton and Allen moved two miles from Penshaw, Wearside, to Bournmoor, County Durham, when their baby was two months old.
That meant transferring from Sunderland City Council's social services to those run by Durham County Council.That meant transferring from Sunderland City Council's social services to those run by Durham County Council.
'Poor practice'
Gail Hopper, chair of Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board, said recommendations would be acted on to improve how cases are managed and also transferred between authorities.Gail Hopper, chair of Durham Local Safeguarding Children Board, said recommendations would be acted on to improve how cases are managed and also transferred between authorities.
She added: "All of the agencies involved are extremely sorry about the death of Alisha and very much regret that Alisha and her family did not receive the level of support they needed.She added: "All of the agencies involved are extremely sorry about the death of Alisha and very much regret that Alisha and her family did not receive the level of support they needed.
"All the recommendations of the Serious Case Review have been accepted and we are ensuring that they are robustly implemented."All the recommendations of the Serious Case Review have been accepted and we are ensuring that they are robustly implemented.
"We are determined that we will continue to improve safeguarding practice within and across agencies.""We are determined that we will continue to improve safeguarding practice within and across agencies."
Sunderland City Council said in a statement it deeply regretted Alisha's death and apologised for any aspects of poor practice attributed to Children's Services.
It added: "We fully accept the findings of the review, both that practice which was not of the highest standard and that which was good, while Alisha was on the child protection register in Sunderland before she was born and before her family moved to Durham.
"We have implemented all the recommendations and kept them under review.