SCR: Manchester boy’s injuries due to social worker failure

A boy suffered injuries that left him disabled because a social worker failed to put him on a child protection plan when his older brother exhibited unexplained injuries, a serious case review in Manchester has concluded.

The SCR also criticised health and hospital staff for failing to work in a joined up way in the case, known as Child K.

A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said they would have taken disciplinary action over the case but the social worker involved had already resigned from the council’s employment.

The council has yet to confirm if its plans to refer the case to the General Social Care Council.

Last April, Child K’s carer Nicholas Muhanza was cleared of neglect following a two-week trial concerning the boy being taken to hospital semi-conscious with multiple fractures to his skull and both collarbones. The boy had five broken ribs and the bones in his upper and lower arms and legs were broken.

Despite these injuries, investigators said there was no evidence that Child K or his brother should have been removed from Muhanza’s care. The SCR said the hospital failed to share information with relevant bodies about the services they provided.

Pauline Newman, Manchester City Council’s director of children’s services, apologised for the event, saying: “In this case, the social work was not up to the standard required and I apologise for our shortcomings.”

Newman added that in the three years since the abuse had taken place, the council had made significant improvements.

“We’ve invested more money, recruited more social workers and put in place a new initial response team, meaning we can act much more effectively when concerns about a child’s welfare are raised,” she said.

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