‘Stronger and stricter’ intervention on child safeguarding is needed in light of the recent murders of two children in England by their own families, a county councillor has urged.

A number of Ceredigion county councillors highlighted the appalling cases of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson during discussions of looked after children at a recent committee.

Cllr Dan Potter said: “Obviously we have all seen the cases and it’s heart-breaking, and it seems to be happening more and more.

“We have to get far stronger and stricter with these allegations and allegations have to be acted on sooner. These beautiful children are killed because allegations were not acted on.”

Committee chairman Cllr Bryan Davies added it was a “thankless task” with some parents “put through the mill” until proven innocent at times.

The committee discussed the quarter one independent reviewing service report monitoring the progress of looked after children (LAC) as part of their ‘corporate parents’ duties, with chairman Cllr Bryan Davies adding “it’s very, very important that this report is detailed.”

At the end of the quarter, June 30, 2021, there were 89 LAC, an increase of four, and 67 children were reviewed compared to 58 in the previous quarter.

The report states that 41 of children reviewed were the subjects of a Full Care Order, 12 were of an Interim Care Order, five of a Placement Order and nine were under the legal status of Section 76.

Five children also left care – two returned home, one was adopted, one went to a ‘when I’m ready’ placement and one was the subject of a revocation of care order.

“It’s a huge workload on our officers but it’s work that has to be done and we have to keep an eye on that,” said Cllr Davies.

The committee were reassured that the county’s children were “in good hands” and any safeguarding reports were responded to quickly, despite staffing issues.

Elizabeth Upcott, safeguarding corporate manager, told the committee that if a referral is made relating to physical abuse social workers will try to speak to the children, police enquires can be done and “any concerns about bruises or injury we would seek medical support, that would be our process in safeguarding.”

This would always be done “urgently” added Donna Pritchard, corporate lead for Porth Gofal, who said the lessons learned from the cases in England would be incorporated into local procedures.