Concerns raised 12 Insufficient workforce understanding of the features of filicide cases View source Barriers to working with fathers View source Failure to provide a whole family focus and consider the impact of parenting capacity on children View source Insufficient workforce understanding of the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing View source Failure to apply and document a clear referral and decision-making process View source Lack of clear policy on when and how child-in-need safeguarding referrals should be made View source Delays or lack of child-centred response by Children’s Social Care to urgent concern information View source Insufficient workforce understanding of factors requiring consideration and assessment when separated parents allege welfare concerns View source Failure of professionals to understand referral of urgent concerns in open social care cases View source Inadequate response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse View source Failure to complete whole family assessments View source Delays and inconsistency in notification of Section 37 reports View source See 9 more concerns
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statements No action or position from this recipient is clearly linked to the concerns in this report.
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AI-generated summary
Archie David SPRIGGS · Prevention of Future Deaths report
This summary was generated using AI from the published report. Please read the original report for the complete account.
Report summary
Archie David Spriggs was murdered by his mother on the morning of 21 September 2017, during a bitter dispute between his parents and on the day of a scheduled child arrangements hearing. The report’s concerns, based on a Serious Case Review, included referral and decision-making processes, responses to urgent safeguarding information, the impact of prolonged private law proceedings, assessment of separated-parent cases and allegations of domestic abuse, and multi-agency working with fathers and families.
Read the report on judiciary.uk
× Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient workforce understanding of the features of filicide cases
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases .
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Barriers to working with fathers
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers . The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to provide a whole family focus and consider the impact of parenting capacity on children
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus ; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children .
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient workforce understanding of the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing ;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to apply and document a clear referral and decision-making process
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care . This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers .
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Lack of clear policy on when and how child-in-need safeguarding referrals should be made
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made .
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays or lack of child-centred response by Children’s Social Care to urgent concern information
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information .
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Insufficient workforce understanding of factors requiring consideration and assessment when separated parents allege welfare concerns
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure of professionals to understand referral of urgent concerns in open social care cases
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care ;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Inadequate response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse .
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Failure to complete whole family assessments
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements.
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report × Source evidence
How this individual concern was interpreted PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. The report was sent to Cafcass; that does not assign responsibility.
PFD Monitor interpretation Delays and inconsistency in notification of Section 37 reports
Wider context from the report “a) SSCB to clarify, and subsequently audit the application of the referral pathway and decision-making process for referrals to Early Help and Children’s Social Care. This should include the use and quality of written referral forms and feedback to referrers.
b) SSCB to seek regular assurance that:
i. Professionals understand how to refer urgent concerns in respect of cases open to Children’s Social Care;
ii. Children’s Social Care provide a timely and child centred response to this information.
c) SSCB to provide the multi-agency workforce with the knowledge and understanding of
i. the impact of protracted private law proceedings on children’s emotional wellbeing;
ii. the factors to be considered and assessed in circumstances whereby separated parents make allegations about the welfare of their children
iii. the features of filicide cases.
d) To test the impact of recommendation (c) SSCB to conduct a multi-agency audit of the services provided to children referred to Children’s Social Care whose parents are separated and where private law proceedings have taken place. The audit should consider the completion of whole family assessments and the response to safeguarding concerns and allegations of domestic abuse.
e) SSCB to work with Local Family Justice Board (LFJB) and CAFCASS to review the notification process for Section 37 reports to ensure timely and consistent arrangements .
f) CAFCASS to update their Child Protection Policy to include when and how safeguarding referrals (child in need) should be made.
g) SSCB to engage with multi-agency frontline staff as well as parents/carers to explore their experiences, and any barriers, to working with fathers. The findings of this work should be considered and acted on by SSCB.
h) SSCB to create learning opportunities for the multi-agency workforce to come together and reflect on their approach to providing a whole family focus; including how they consider the impact of parenting capacity on children.
” Open source report
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Information checked against published PFD reports and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations