Child Death Review Process

What is the purpose of the Child Death Review Process (CDRP)?

The purpose is to collect information about the deaths of all children in the area so the Child Death Overview Panel can;

• Document, analyse and review information in relation to each child that dies in order to confirm the cause of death, determine any contributing factors and to identify learning arising from the process that may prevent future child deaths
• To make recommendations to all relevant organisations where actions have been identified which may prevent future deaths or promote the health, safety and wellbeing of children
• To contribute to local, regional and national initiatives to improve learning from Child Death Reviews

What is the Child Death Overview Panel?

CDOP is a multi-agency panel responsible for reviewing information on all child death’s up to the age of 18 in North Yorkshire and City of York. 

Who is on the Child Death Overview Panel?

The Panel is chaired by Public Health and has representatives from;

• Local Authority Children’s Services and Education
• Child Health Services such as paediatrics, nursing, general practitioners and midwifery
• Police
• LAY Members

On occasion the Panel co-opt experts to assist their information gathering and analysis. When needed.

How do the reviews happen?

The Child Death Overview Panel meet bi-monthly.  All the information presented to the Panel is anonymised, strictly confidential and is treated with sensitivity and respect.

How do we Involve parents and family members in the CDRP?

The parents of each child receive a letter along with an a Child Death Review booklet following the death of their child. Both advise them about the Child Death Review Process and how they can express their views and contribute into it if they wish.

How does the Panel report its findings?

The Child Death Overview Panel provide an annual report to the North Yorkshire and City of York Safeguarding Children Partner’s.  This is a publically available document, which is published on the North Yorkshire and City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership websites.

All reports prepared by the Panel are based on aggregated information, and no personal case information is included in them.

The panel will be seeking sensitive confidential information about the child and other family members.

The statutory framework that underpins this information is laid down in Chapter 6 of Working Together to Safeguard Children.

www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk

Page reviewed: June 2026