Poppi Worthington death: professionals saw no need for intervention report reveals

The Serious Case Review into the death of 13-month-old Poppi Worthington was finally published today more than four years after she was discovered limp and lifeless at her home in the town.

The 24-page document lists a series of red flags such as a complex family history which included 'multi-generational' abuse, a young mother coping with six children and a sibling who was noted as looking 'withdrawn' and 'sad'.

It also states Poppi's mother had been classed as vulnerable by social workers as a child, her grandmother had grown up in foster care and her grandfather had spent time in Borstal.

Poppi's father, Paul Worthington, did not provide information for the report, but he is said to have been living homeless in a 'large city' before meeting Poppi's mother.

Child safeguarding leaders today admitted the toddler's family background and circumstances should have triggered an offer of early help from supporting agencies - giving them better access to assess the youngster and her siblings.

This morning, the chairman of Cumbria's Local Safeguarding Children Board, Gill Rigg, said: "With hindsight, this family had a troubling family history. "But there weren't any concerns identified by any of the professionals in contact with the family to suggest intervention was appropriate."

Dr Amanda Boardman, the LSCB's GP representative, added: "If the professionals had put the pieces of the puzzle together, then early help should have been offered but at the time this tragic event happened, early help was just really starting."

The little girl was judged in the High Court to have died at Furness General Hospital shortly after suffering a serious sexual assault at the hands of her father, Paul Worthington.

A post mortem report found she had sustained a broken leg in the weeks before her death which was never reported to medical professionals.

Mr Worthington denies any wrongdoing in relation to his daughter.