Kirklees safeguarding children board today announced it would commission a serious case review into local agencies’ dealings with the Matthews family.
The news came the day after Karen Matthews, along with Michael Donovan, was convicted of the kidnap and false imprisonment of her daughter, Shannon, at Leeds Crown Court. Both were also convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Questions have been raised following the conclusion of the trial about social services’ involvement with the family and their response to child protection concerns regarding Shannon and her siblings.
Kirklees Council leader Robert Light said: “People will be rightly concerned to be reassured that those professionals working in the field of child care and safeguarding acted properly and professionally in their dealings with the family. People must understand that, without exception, we do act on reports of serious concern that are made to us. They are followed through and appropriate action taken.”
However, he added that he was not able to go into specific details concerning the council’s involvement with the family because of current legal proceedings.
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