Malnourished girl review gets national acclaim

The review, commissioned by The Northumberland Children and Adult Safeguarding Partnership, identified lessons to be learned

A safeguarding review about a teenager who was hospitalised with levels of malnutrition "not seen in the UK" has been nationally recognised.

Commissioned by The Northumberland Children and Adult Safeguarding Partnership, the review identified lessons to be learned from the case of the 13-year-old girl, named Sophia in the report, who weighing just over two stone (13.8kg).

The 67-page report is written from Sophia's perspective and details a challenging upbringing.

Victoria McKay, head of Northumberland County Council's service for quality assurance, said Sophia was regularly updated on the impact her experience has had on training local authorities.

Ms McKay said: "That review has actually had national recognition and we have had a number of local authorities ask how we did that and what the processes were.

"We have had 200 participants in the training of that information with her parents and carers at the centre of that learning.

"Sophia was front and centre, her voice is very much in that review."

The review, which did not seek to assign blame for what happened to the teenager, was written in the first person as it was felt Sophia had not been "seen or heard for such a long time".

In 2020, a GP concluded the youngster had "extensive mental health problems, a history of self harm and problems with eating".

Sophia was previously admitted to hospital suffering from pancytopenia – a significantly reduced blood cell count.

Malnutrition was identified as the cause, but she was not diagnosed with an eating disorder.

'Wish to be happy'

Sophia also had bone marrow failure and paediatricians were unsure she would survive.

During her hospital stay in 2023, she told mental health practitioners that she did not feel "worthy" of food and "did not feel worthy of life".

During the review, she said: "I do not think services or workers listened to me for them to really understand how I was feeling or what was happening at home or in my life.

"I wanted someone to help me and to be there for me.

"If this was different, I think I might be happier, taller or I might like myself more now.

"My biggest wish is to be happy."

At the time of writing the report, Sophia was described as "confident".

"People that know me now say I am bubbly and confident - they regularly see me smiling and giggling," she said.

"I love shopping, make up, clothes, swimming, cycling and taking photos with my camera. I also enjoy being able to go to school."

The report identified 12 key points of learning, including a criticism of descriptions of Sophia as "complex, challenging or a problem" as this assigned blame.

It also identified strengths and successes that could be made into best practice.

These included praise for Sophia's school for maintaining contact with the family during the pandemic and for healthcare professionals who gave advice to her step-mum when she became unwell.

The council's children's services were rated outstanding by Ofsted last year.