Child Death Overview Panel - CDOP

Is a sub committee of the LSCB it comprises of a panel of multi agency professionals including health, police, ambulance, children services education, children’s services social care, designated paediatrician and LSCB members. Meeting take place on a monthly basis to review all child deaths (from birth up to the age of 18 years old across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight. This is a legal requirement under section 11 of the Children Act 2004.

There are two elements to the child death review processes and are the main functions;

A rapid response by a group of professionals who are responsible for enquiring into and evaluating each unexpected death of a     child.

A review of the deaths of all children in each of the Local Authorities through Child Death Overview Panels (CDOPs). Panels will identify trends or patterns in these deaths. This information will be used to prevent or avoid such deaths in the future. CDOPs should inform local strategic planning for children’s services, and policy and practice developments.

The panel work on processes and procedures laid down by Government in Chapter 7, Working Together to safeguard Children (2010)