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An independent investigation into the death of a six-year-old Bedford boy has called on professionals to make sure they speak to children in cases where domestic violence is suspected.

It is one of 10 recommendations made by Ron Lock, chairperson of the Bedfordshire and Luton Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) serious case review group and author of a report into the killing of Jason Hill by his father last August.

Jason was seen twice by the duty social worker with his father present, but on both occasions the father was "in control" and didn't allow the professionals to have any meaningful contact with the child, the report said.

"These contacts, apart from seeing that Child C (Jason) appeared physically well, fell far short of any attempt to engage Child C in the process of assessment and to ascertain his wishes and feelings," it adds.

As a result, professional interventions became more adult-focused rather than child-focused as it was felt Jason's father's mental health could suffer if the child was removed from his care.

The part eight review also said Jason's death highlighted the need to improve inter-agency communications and the requirement to ensure that risk assessments should be child-centred.

The review group found there was a lack of a child-centred approach in undertaking a seven-day initial assessment of the family's circumstances and that concerns expressed by Jason's school warranted a decision by the child care team, in consultation with the police, to undertake an investigation under section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

The report criticised communications between different agencies and said they led to incomplete and confused information.

There were also delays by agencies in acting upon information, and correspondence from the police to the child care team went missing.

Other recommendations made by the review group include the need to review and update the Bedfordshire and Luton domestic violence practice guidance, improve record-keeping, demonstrate reasons for decisions on whether or not to conduct section 47 child protection investigations, and assess the knowledge and understanding of child care staff to ensure they are adequately trained in child protection matters.

- A copy of the report summary is available at www.bedfordshire.gov.uk