"Damning review" of Board's failure to protect children from being murdered by dad during visitation (Evesham, England)

The country, culture, or political system doesn't seem to matter. No matter where you go, you find a consistent pattern of incompetence--if not outright corruption--in child protection agencies. This case, which we have reported on before, is from the UK. Despite the fact that dad CHRIS GRADY had threatened the mother before--"If I can't have the kids, then you ain't"-- authorities failed to detect an abuser with a control freak custody agenda. So while the bureaucrats bumbled and stewed, Daddy continued to have child access--which he exploited in an attempt to murder the kids by driving his car into a river. The  daughter died, but the son somehow escaped.

http://www.eveshamobserver.co.uk/2011/10/10/story-Review-highlights-failings-in-Grady-case-19778.html

Review highlights failings in Grady caseNigel Slater

10 October. Updated: 10 October 17:18

A DAMNING review has revealed there were 'significant missed opportunities' to assess the vulnerability of two Evesham children who were driven into a freezing river by their father.

Although the names have not been revealed, the findings of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board published on Monday (October 10) relate to the case involving Chris Grady and his two children Gabby and Ryan.

Gabby died three days after the incident in February 2010 which saw Grady drive his car into the River Avon, he escaped as did Ryan.

A serious case review, set up when a child or young person has died or been seriously injured, has found that threats made to the children by Grady months before the incident were not treated with 'sufficient seriousness'.
During his trial earlier this year, the court heard that Grady told the children's mother Kim Smith during an argument: "If I can't have the kids then you ain't.''

Miss Smith called the police but the review revealed there was a delay in conducting necessary assessments of the children's safety and therefore normal procedures were not followed.

Agencies and professionals tended to work in isolation and there was a significant lack of information sharing, including knowledge about the parents' circumstances and any mental health and alcohol related issues, the review found.

Hilary Thompson, Independent Chair of the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board, said: "Our thoughts continue to be with this family. This was a devastating event for the family including for a surviving child.

"It is important that we learn from this case in order to better equip professionals to intervene and protect children where that is possible.

"It is possible that the events would have happened whatever intervention had been made at the time if the father was in a state of mind where he was determined and committed to the course of action.

"The recommendations focus on tighter procedures, better training, early and robust information sharing and better engagement of some key professionals in the child protection system," she added.