Surrey MP calls for more protection for children that are home educated
The Woking MP has called for reform in the system following the report into the death of Sara Sharif
Following the report looking into the death of Sara Sharif, Woking MP Will Forster said Sara had been failed by the state "at every stage" as he called for a "full parliamentary investigation".
The report stated that murdered 10-year-old Sara Sharif was "failed by the safeguarding system" in multiple ways throughout her short life, according to a review which said her father's domestic abuse had been overlooked and underestimated.
The report into numerous missed opportunities concluded that while a "great deal of information" was available to various authorities, even safeguarding professionals appeared to have been "groomed and manipulated" by her killer father, Urfan Sharif.
Sara Sharif died in 2023 following two years of abuse at the hands of her father and her step-mother.
Services in Surrey failed to identify that Sara was at risk of abuse and did not question unexplained bruising, the review, external found. This included a failure to properly investigate why Sara started wearing a hijab - that covered the bruising - for "fear of causing offence".
The report offers 15 comprehensive recommendations for action moving forward, both on local and national level.
Surrey County Council said it was "deeply sorry" for the findings in the review.
Woking MP Will Forster however says that an apology is insufficient
"An apology is not enough, it's the least they can do"
All the warning signs were there, yet they were not acted upon. The authorities were fully aware that Sara was at risk. She was placed on a child protection plan before being born and was a victim of domestic abuse from that day onwards.
"It is now painfully clear that Sara's murderers exploited loopholes in the home education system to conceal their abuse. Legislation is urgently needed to prevent this from happening again."
Foster drew attention to the need for change in the home education system
"It is now painfully clear that Sara's murderers exploited loopholes in the home education system to conceal their abuse. Legislation is urgently needed to prevent this from happening again."
Calling for a full parliamentary investigation, he added: "It is vital that the 15 comprehensive recommendations set out in the report are urgently implemented in full.
"We owe it to Sara, and to every vulnerable child in Surrey and beyond, to prevent children from being murdered by those who should love and care for them."
He said the council's executive director for children, families and lifelong learning should "appear before MPs to explain why she accepted an £8,700 pay rise after Sara's death - despite the failings of her department".
Terence Herbert, Surrey County Council chief executive, said: "We are deeply sorry for the findings in the report related to us as a local authority.
We have already taken robust action to address those relating to Surrey County Council and that work will continue with every recommendation implemented in full."
We will also work with partners across the Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership to ensure a joint action plan is implemented as quickly as possible."
Council leader Tim Oliver said the situation was "horrific and incredibly sad".
He added: "I am certain that everyone involved with this family will have reflected on what more could have been done to protect Sara, and my thoughts and condolences are with anyone affected.
"The independent and detailed review makes a number of recommendations both for national government and local partners, and it is now essential that every single person in every organisation involved in child safeguarding reads this report and understands the lessons learnt.
"I am deeply sorry for the findings in the report that relate to us as a local authority. We will now act on those findings and continue to review and strengthen our culture, systems and processes designed to support good practice in working with children and families, as per the recommendations."