Khyra Ishaq case: Birmingham safeguarding board begins probe

By Mithran Samuel on May 23, 2008 in Child safeguarding

Birmingham safeguarding children board today began its serious case review into the death last Saturday of Khyra Ishaq, amid controversy over agencies’ role.

As part of the serious case review, a Birmingham Council spokesperson said that each child protection agency in the city would be carrying out an internal management review to determine whether there were “any gaps in the processes, procedures or guidance which could have made a difference”.

The news comes with Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood having already made highly critical claims over the role of the council’s children’s services in the case.

Khyra died in hospital on Saturday after being found with her five siblings in a reportedly emaciated state. Angela Gordon 33, and Junaid Abuhamza, 29 – believed to be her mother and step-father – were charged this week with causing or allowing her death and will appear in crown court on 28 May.

The other children have been taken into foster care after the council obtained an emergency protection order, while the council spokesperson said that children at Khyra’s school – Grove Primary School in Handsworth – were being supported by psychologists.

The spokesperson added that the council’s chief executive, Stephen Hughes, had discussed the case with Mahmood, and had promised to keep him informed throughout the serious case review.

However, it will not report until after criminal proceedings have been completed.