Local Learning | Serious Case Management Reviews
The Isle of Man Safeguarding Board has a legal responsibility to undertake Serious Case Management Reviews (SCMRs). This is when serious harm has occurred to a child, young person or vulnerable adult and there may be concerns about the way the different agencies have worked together to safeguard the person(s) in question.
The purpose of an SCMR is to review cases and identify whether there are lessons to be learned from the way agencies worked together on the case, identify what those lessons are and how they will be acted upon and improve inter-agency working as a result.
Reviews must focus on learning not blaming and engage practitioners and managers in recommending ways the safeguarding system and practice can be improved or strengthened. It is critical that reviews also focus on what worked well, to allow front line staff and managers to build on identified good practice.
The Serious Case Management Review (SCMR) Panel is responsible for:
- Considering referrals for SCMRs;
- Commissioning SCMRs and other case reviews;
- Monitoring the action plans arising from reviews;
- Ensuring the dissemination of the learning from reviews.
As stated, reviews are not about apportioning blame and are not part of investigations by the Isle of Man Constabulary, the Director of Prosecutions, the Coroner of Inquests or of disciplinary or other process.
Referrals are made by an agency that has been involved, and that agency is required to set out how the criteria for an SCMR are met on the referral form. The criteria are laid out in the Safeguarding Board Regulations 2019 and further guidance laid out in Safeguarding Together 2019.