This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-24131912

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pelka abuse case could prompt law change, Clegg says Pelka abuse case could prompt law change, Clegg says
(about 1 hour later)
Efforts to prevent deaths like that of Daniel Pelka could include a change in the law, Nick Clegg has said. A law making it mandatory for people working with children to report suspected abuse has not been ruled out to prevent deaths like that of Daniel Pelka, Nick Clegg has said.
The deputy prime minister said new laws were "not necessarily" the solution, but would be considered if that was the "only way" to prevent such tragedies. The deputy prime minister said a law was "not necessarily" the solution, but would be considered if that was the "only way" to stop such tragedies.
He said children could still "fall between the cracks" if teachers, social workers and councils do not liaise. He warned without co-operation children could still "fall between the cracks".
The children's minister said a law forcing professionals to report abuse suspicions would not have saved Daniel. The children's minister said compulsory reporting would not have saved Daniel.
Four-year-old Daniel was starved and beaten for months before he died in March 2012 at his Coventry home.Four-year-old Daniel was starved and beaten for months before he died in March 2012 at his Coventry home.
A report published earlier, following a serious case review, found "no professional tried sufficiently hard" to talk to him.A report published earlier, following a serious case review, found "no professional tried sufficiently hard" to talk to him.
Mr Clegg said his "sense" was that the real issue was a lack of communication between teachers, social workers and local authorities.Mr Clegg said his "sense" was that the real issue was a lack of communication between teachers, social workers and local authorities.
"The problem in this and unfortunately in other previous tragic cases is that individuals can fall between the cracks," he said."The problem in this and unfortunately in other previous tragic cases is that individuals can fall between the cracks," he said.
Speaking about the possibility of changing the law, he added: "If it's the only way we can prevent this tragedy of this poor boy happening to other children then of course we will consider it."Speaking about the possibility of changing the law, he added: "If it's the only way we can prevent this tragedy of this poor boy happening to other children then of course we will consider it."
'Bag of bones''Bag of bones'
Children's Minister Edward Timpson said mandatory reporting - making it a criminal offence not to report suspected abuse - "wouldn't have helped Daniel".Children's Minister Edward Timpson said mandatory reporting - making it a criminal offence not to report suspected abuse - "wouldn't have helped Daniel".
He added: "We know from those countries that do have mandatory reporting it doesn't necessarily make children safer, and it can actually make them less safe - we know they have higher death rates of children, for example."He added: "We know from those countries that do have mandatory reporting it doesn't necessarily make children safer, and it can actually make them less safe - we know they have higher death rates of children, for example."
Home Secretary Theresa May said lessons must be learned from the child's death, particularly about sharing of information. Home Secretary Theresa May said lessons must be learned from Daniel's death, particularly about sharing of information.
She said another lesson to be learned was that authorities investigating domestic violence should routinely "look at how those incidents affect children".She said another lesson to be learned was that authorities investigating domestic violence should routinely "look at how those incidents affect children".
At the trial of Daniel's mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner Mariusz Krezolek, 34, Birmingham Crown Court was told Daniel was a "bag of bones" and was "wasting away".At the trial of Daniel's mother Magdelena Luczak, 27, and her partner Mariusz Krezolek, 34, Birmingham Crown Court was told Daniel was a "bag of bones" and was "wasting away".
The court heard Daniel saw a doctor in hospital for a broken arm, arrived at school with bruises and facial injuries, and was seen scavenging for food.The court heard Daniel saw a doctor in hospital for a broken arm, arrived at school with bruises and facial injuries, and was seen scavenging for food.
Both defendants were convicted of murder, jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 30 years each.Both defendants were convicted of murder, jailed for life and ordered to serve at least 30 years each.
Much of the detail that emerged in the trial about the abuse Daniel suffered was "completely unknown" to the professionals involved, the serious case review found.Much of the detail that emerged in the trial about the abuse Daniel suffered was "completely unknown" to the professionals involved, the serious case review found.
But it said said Daniel could have been offered greater protection if they had applied a "much more enquiring mind".But it said said Daniel could have been offered greater protection if they had applied a "much more enquiring mind".
No-one has been disciplined as a direct result of Daniel's death.No-one has been disciplined as a direct result of Daniel's death.