Clarence-mum who smothered 3 children - not preventable

[Obs2015]

This was in the news yesterday again.
It has been decided, presumably post investigation, that this was 'non preventable'.
Really? That sounds like a bit of a cop out.
Judge concluded that lessons could be learnt. That putting in an inexperienced SW'er was not appropriate, that the 60-80 Health professionals the couple needed to deal with, was not ideal.

But no real lessons learnt, it would seem. No accountability. Non preventable. I know none of us know all the details or facts, but that just seems a bit weak and dismissive to me.

Just found this thread.I read quickly through the serious case review and I feel that even there the mother did not have a voice, her husband made a statement on her behalf. In my experience having a child with complex medical needs who is life limiting, the mothers needs are way down the list of priorities and are only considered when they have an impact on the child's wellbeing. I think professionals see us either as absolute self sacrificing saints devoted to our children or awkward irritants when we question them. A life limiting diagnosis is like a bomb going off in the family and there is little help to deal with the ongoing psychological trauma of this. Her hopes and dreams for the lives of each of her children and family life were shattered. Her very identity was subject to a massive change.
I find it difficult to believe that the outcome was not preventable.

Sad verdict because I really sympathise with the mum here. She did her best with those kids; kids she could have abandoned in some SA hospice if she didn't care about them. The UK system is very flawed and I think this case could have been used to overhaul it.

I thought I read in an earlier investigation that the CP issues were over medical professionals wanting to carry out surgery/procedures to prolong life that the parents did not want as their priority was quality of life rather than quantity? I seem to remember something about health professionals considering whether this could be regarded as a safeguarding issue in order to override the parents' wishes?

As a SP of 4 dc, 2 with complex needs, both boys diagnosed with ASD & ADHD / PDA. Both very challenging. Both attend independent AS schools...i sadly totally understand why the poor mother in this case killed her children.

This is not comfortable to read but its the reality. No one cares. Seriously. All my children are to professionals, are expense. Its all about money. SEN schools are expensive. My boys schools fees are 52k for the older ds plus transport about12k per annum. The younger ds fees are 60k pwr annum with transport included.

Restpite is at very least £20 an hour. My older son gets £500 per annum.for playscheme. Thats 1 week a year. My younger sons assessment for restpite still isnt complete even though i requested it 8 months ago.

All therapies are extortionate.

I've told both the schools, Camhs, Social Services that i can't go on as i am. I need support. I need restpite. Im exhausted. The boys rately sleep all night. Yet, absolutely nothing.

No one cares. Its so much harder then it was a few years ago to access support or help. It will get much worse when the full cuts are inforced.

More parents will develop mental health problems & sadly that could mean more parents ending up like tbe poor mother in this article