A CHILD in the care of Swindon Borough Council has died recently enough for the Serious Case Review report to be not yet completed.

The news was revealed in an answer to a written question made by Coun Jim Grant at a full meeting of the council.

In a written answer to his question about how many children have died in the authority’s care in the last four years, Coun Mary Martin, the cabinet member for children’s services said: “In the last five years there has been one young person who has died whilst in the care of the local authority.

“The young person’s death is recent and five have been referred to the Local Safeguarding Children Board which has determined that it meets the criteria for a Serious Case Review.

“During this time, Swindon Local Safeguarding Children’s Board has been notified of four other cases where children known to, but not in the care of the Local Authority have died. In three of these the circumstances were such that the LSCB considered that the criteria for a Serious Case Review had been met. Two reports have been published. The other one is in progress."

Coun Mary Martin said, after the meeting: “The death of any child is tragic. I’m very sorry for the family and it makes me feel very sad personally.

I cannot say anything about the individual case as the Serious Case Review is still being prepared by the Safeguarding Board.”

Coun Martin added that she could not say when the review would be published but said the Learning Points report would be published as soon as possible- if necessary before the final report is completed.