Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP)

Child Death Review

Child Death Overview Panels (CDOPs) were enacted as a statutory requirement of Working Together 2010. The purpose of the CDOP is to ensure that when a child under the age of 18 dies there is a comprehensive and independent review of the circumstances. The focus of the review is to establish any learning, identify any safeguarding concerns and to contribute to the wider understanding of causes of child mortality and thus reduce the risk of child death through identifying modifiable factors.

In October 2018 New Child Death Review (CDR) statutory guidance was released by the Government outlining a set of requirements of Child Death Review Partners. The two main CDR partners are Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and Local Authorities (LAs). The CCG and Local Authority work closely with any other involved organisations including the police, hospitals, schools, GPs and nurseries throughout the child death review process.

North West London Child Death Review Team

In Kensington and Westminster, the child death procedures are coordinated by the North West London Child Death Review Team. This team consists of expert nursing staff who coordinate Child Death Review Meetings, convene the Child Death Overview Panel and ensure that families who have suffered the loss of a child are supported. 

Reporting a child death

If you are a professional seeking to report a child death you should do so via the ECDOP online portal.

North West London Child Death Review queries: [email protected] CDR Team Single Point of Contact: Juliet Ayorinde TEL: 0203 350 4615

Support for families

If you are a parent or a family member seeking information, or support you can find leaflets and more information for parents and carers on the NHS England website.

Every family affected by the loss of a child is appointed a keyworker to support and assist them through the child death review process.

Every child that dies will be the subject of a Child Death Review Meeting, in those cases of sudden, or unexpected, death a meeting called a Joint Area Response is convened. All deaths are then considered at the Child Death Overview Panel. Parents do not attend these meetings, but should be updated by their appointed keyworker.