Episode 12: Alfie Steele - Learning from his murder

In February 2021, Alfie Steele was murdered at his home in Droitwich after being subject to months of abuse. His mother and her partner were subsequently found responsible and are currently serving jail time. Following his death, Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership completed a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review.

Learning themes include:

-Responding when a new partner joins a family –Unseen Men

-Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control and recognising when this is NOT present

-How realistic are expectations we put in place for children and families?

-Confirmation bias and fixed thinking

-Adults of concern who don’t meet the threshold for public protection meetings

-The effectiveness of the Core Group process

-Responding to physical abuse

-The over-reliance on children telling us what is happening to them

-Response to concerns from community members