Child Death Review Process

Introduction

The death of a child whether unexpected or not unexpected represents a tragedy for families, friends and communities. In the Isle of Man there is a legal requirement for the statutory partners to make arrangements to review the deaths of all children, up to the age of 18, via the Child Death Review Process (CDRP), regardless of how they died.

The focus of CDRP should be on identifying any modifiable factors that may help prevent unnecessary child deaths or harm. The Panel has a multi-agency approach, meeting quarterly (or as necessary) to deliver an emphatic and timely service to parents. 

During 2019/20, the Isle of Man’s CDRP has become aligned with Merseyside Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP). This allows the Isle of Man’s CDRP to be supported by, and collaborate with, Merseyside CDOP offer an independent oversight of its processes and numbers and share data collection.

The CDRP aims to collect and analyse information about the death of every child under 18 years on the Isle of Man, with a view to identifying modifiable factors that could be addressed to:

  • Reduce the numbers of child deaths
  • Prevent accidents to children
  • Improvement in inter-agency practice in this very sensitive area
  • Educate public and professionals working with children
  • Highlight any matters of concern

Isle of Man Child Death Review Panel

Membership

The CDRP membership is made up as follows:

  • Designated Doctor, Manx Care (Chair)
  • Safeguarding Lead, Manx Care
  • Consultant Paediatrician, Manx Care
  • Police Inspector, Isle of Man Constabulary
  • Senior Independent Reviewing Officer, Children and Families, Manx Care
  • School Improvement Advisor, DESC
  • Nurse Consultant, Emergency Care
  • Executive Director, Quality Safety & Engagement, DHSC
  • Senior Inspector, Registrations & Inspections Unit, DHSC
  • Other members can be co-opted onto specific panels when required e.g. Ambulance Service.

Aims

In relation to individual cases, the Child Death Review process aims to:

  • Classify the cause of death for individual children
  • Make a decision as to the preventability of the death
  • Identify any modifiable factors
  • Consider any recommendation that may be made about actions which could be taken to prevent such deaths in the future
  • Seek feedback on the rapid response arrangements to make sure they are working well
  • Monitor the support offered to families of children who have died.

All cases are anonymised before review by the CDRP and all panel members must sign a confidentiality statement.

Parents are advised of the CDRP and the process, and are offered support through the process. They are informed that any information about their child will be stored securely and only anonymised data will be collated and used in the both the Isle of Man's CDRP and Merseyside CDOPs annual reports

Confidentiality and Sensitivity

Any child death information is treated as confidential and anonymised, where necessary, in line with GDPR regulations. 

Parents can be assured that information will be treated with sensitivity and only shared, with relevant agencies, to enable the Isle of Man to understand and learn from their child’s death.

Child Death Review Process and Data Sharing

Child Death review data is shared with the following agencies:

  • Merseyside CDOP
  • National Child Mortality Database

Supportive Charities

The following agencies (but not limited to) offer support and understanding for parents, their friends/families and other involved agencies:

National Child Death Review Process – National CDOP Form A (Initial Notification Form)

  • You can access the CDOP Notification, Reporting and supplementary forms here or by requesting them from the Child Death Review Mailbox via CDRP@gov.im
  • Each form should be completed electronically and emailed to the CDR Mailbox via CDRP@gov.im
  • Please do not send handwritten forms

Child Death Review Process Contacts

Designated Doctor (chair):
Sadha Punniyakodi
Email: Sadha.Punniyakodi@nobles.dhss.gov.im

Public Health Officer:
Email: CDRP@gov.im

Child Death Review Processes

Read the Statutory and Operational Guidance: Management Process for medical Staff for ALL Deaths in Children and Young People

Useful Information/Links

The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) has a wealth of process publications, guidance and educational materials.

Standard Operating Procedures

The Isle of Man's CDRP Standard Operating Procedures include areas such as:

  • Panel Membership; roles and responsibilities and meetings
  • Business management and processes
  • Data Protection

 

Added: April 2023