NSPCC statement on the Khyra Ishaq serious case review

Several referrals were made to Birmingham Children's Services about the seven-year-old but they were never fully acted on and a proper assessment to see if she was at risk was never carried out.

At least two members of the public raised concerns about Khyra, as did teachers, but she still died in May 2008 when she weighed only 16 kilograms.

An NSPCC spokesman said: "The tragedy of this case is that a number of people suspected something was going seriously wrong but no one was able to do anything to save Khyra. If concerns about a child are passed to social workers the public must be re-assured that something effective will be done to protect them.  It can be particularly difficult for members of the public to respond to cases of neglect.

"However we continue to encourage people to report instances of suspected child cruelty and if they think no action is being taken to call our Helpline on 0808 800 5000. We can then follow the enquiry through to ensure action is taken."

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