AN independent safeguarding review is underway in Warrington following the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey and the actions of local schoolgirl Scarlett Jenkinson, who attended Culcheth High School and now admitted her role in the stabbing.
As Manchester Crown Court heard today that Scarlett Jenkinson had admitted for the first time stabbing Brianna Ghey herself, Warrington Safeguarding Partnership announced an independent safeguarding practice review was underway “into this sad and deeply tragic case.”
Jenkinson and fellow convicted killer Eddie Ratcliffe from Leigh, can now be named after a judge lifted reporting restrictions previously in place due to their age.
Scarlett Jenkinson under interview – Picture Cheshire Police
Ms Heer said: “She said effectively, she said that at the time of the killing she had in fact administered stab wounds herself.
“She had snatched the knife from Eddie’s hand and stabbed Brianna Ghey repeatedly.
“She said Eddie had thrown Brianna to the floor and stabbed her three or four times then he panicked and said he did not want to kill her, so she carried on and stabbed her a number of times.
“When asked how many, she answered, ‘A lot.’ She was satisfied and excited by what she was doing.”
Following the announcement of the Safeguarding Review, Chris Hunt, Headteacher at Culcheth High School, said: “We offer our deepest sympathies to Brianna’s family, friends and those who knew and loved her.
“We are devastated by these tragic events, which have had a profound impact on our school community.
“Throughout this sad and difficult time our priority has always been the welfare of our students and staff who have been so badly affected, and ensuring that the right support and care has been in place for all those who need it. This will continue.
“Since this tragic event, we have been working closely with partner agencies across Warrington. This will continue as part of the local child safeguarding practice review into this distressing incident and in line with wider safeguarding considerations.
“We are fully supportive of, and engaged with, this ongoing, detailed review.”
A spokesperson for Warrington Safeguarding Partnership: “Our heartfelt sympathies are with Brianna’s family and friends in what continues to be a profoundly difficult time.
“Warrington’s Safeguarding Partnership has launched an independent safeguarding practice review into this sad and deeply tragic case. This practice review is establishing what learning can be identified surrounding the actions of Scarlett Jenkinson and her role in Brianna’s murder.
“It will be a thorough process led by an expert, independent reviewer, which will look at all aspects of this very serious case.
“Reviews of this nature, although rare, are in our view essential, to look at all aspects of our collective safeguarding practices.
“While we know people are likely to have many questions, it’s important the review is not pre-judged, and is allowed sufficient space for it to be completed.
“This work is now underway and we expect the review to conclude by early Summer, at which point all relevant findings will be published.
In a statement on behalf of Warrington Borough Council, Mayor of Warrington Cllr Steve Wright said: “Today, we are thinking of Brianna Ghey, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.
“What happened will always be regarded as one of Warrington’s darkest days and while today’s sentencing brings about the judicial conclusion of the matter, we know that many people in Warrington continue to grieve and are suffering.
“The Peace in Mind campaign, led by Brianna’s mum, Esther, has been a small light amongst what has been a truly dark and distressing time for our town, and is an enduring symbol that Brianna will never be forgotten.”
The purpose of a child safeguarding practice review (CSPR) is to:
– Establish what learning can be identified from the circumstances of a case in which professionals and agencies work together to safeguard children and young people.
– Identify how the learning should be acted upon.
– Review the effectiveness of policies and procedures, both of individual organisations and multi-agency arrangements.
– Identify any actions required by partner agencies to promote learning to support and improve systems and practice.
– Act on findings about sound practice, by developing best practice across organisations.
– Seek assurance about improvements made to multi-agency working.
