Surrey County Council statement on Sara Sharif

Rachael Wardell, Executive Director for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning at Surrey County Council, said:

“Sara’s death is incredibly distressing and we share in the profound horror at the terrible details that have emerged during the trial. We cannot begin to comprehend the suffering that poor Sara endured at the hands of members of her family who should have loved, protected, and cared for her.

“The focus of the trial has been on the evidence needed to secure the convictions of those responsible for Sara’s death. This means that until the independent safeguarding review concludes, a complete picture cannot be understood or commented upon.

“What is clear from the evidence we’ve heard in court is that the perpetrators went to extreme lengths to conceal the truth from everyone.

“We are resolute in our commitment to protecting children, and we are determined to play a full and active part in the forthcoming review alongside partner agencies, to thoroughly understand the wider circumstances surrounding Sara’s tragic death.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• When the trial concludes, a safeguarding review of all professionals who had contact with the family, called a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR), will proceed.
• The LCSPR will be led by an independent Author.
• The LCSPR is a statutory process that will bring together partners including the police, health, social care and education among others to review the practice of all agencies involved with the family and identify any learning.