What were the key findings of the child safeguarding practice review?

The review found that professionals should have anticipated Victoria's conception and provided better support to her parents, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, to prevent harm to future children. It highlighted that parents were left isolated and unsupported after their children were removed.

How did the system fail parents like Constance Marten and Mark Gordon?

The system failed by not providing coordinated support to parents after their children were removed, leaving them isolated and unsupported. Marten described receiving ultimatums rather than assistance, feeling state powers were used coercively.

What is the main lesson learned from baby Victoria's death regarding child protection?

A critical lesson is that removing children, while protecting those children, does not address the root problem and may increase the risk of harm to future children. Continued focus and support for parents are essential.

Home / Crime and Justice / Child's Death Exposed Systemic Support Failures

Child's Death Exposed Systemic Support Failures

12 Feb

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Summary

Review highlights need for better parental support post-child removal.
Baby Victoria died of hypothermia while parents slept rough.
Systemic failures meant parents remained isolated and unsupported.

Child's Death Exposed Systemic Support Failures

A safeguarding review has highlighted systemic failures in support for parents following the removal of their children, suggesting this contributed to the death of baby Victoria. Professionals should have anticipated Victoria's conception earlier to better engage with her parents, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon, according to the report. Victoria was the latest in a series of pregnancies, births, and removals into care, a pattern that had become devastatingly destructive.

Marten and Gordon were jailed for 14 years for Victoria's manslaughter after being found guilty of child cruelty, concealing the birth, and perverting the course of justice. They were accused of hiding Victoria's birth to prevent her removal and subsequently sleeping rough with her. Victoria died of hypothermia in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023.