Child Death Review Report : Scottish Government Child Death Review Working Group

Contribution to Scottish Government Strategic Objectives and Current Policy

7. This work contributes to the Scottish Government's "Healthier" strategic objective and in particular to the Healthier outcomes of "We live longer, healthier lives"; "We have improved the life chances for children, young people and families at risk"; and "Our children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed".

8. The potential development of a child death review system for Scotland should link to current Scottish Government early years and child health policies in addition to child protection policies (e.g. It's Everyone's Job to make sure I'm alright¹) and should promote integration of good practice across health, social care and justice systems. By enabling the detection and modification of preventable factors involved in child deaths, it will also inform the work of the Early Years Collaborative to ensure that all children have the best start in life and are ready to succeed.

9. It will assist with the Early Years Collaborative's Stretch Aim of reducing infant mortality by 10% by 2015 (from 3.7 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 3.1 per 1,000 live births in 2015)² There are also important links between child death reviews, the Scottish Patient Safety Programme³ and the protection of children in the community in terms of learning being disseminated widely across agencies.