Reminder to schools following learning from Child Death Overview Panels

Child Death Overview Panels (CDOP) were introduced by the government in April 2008 to review the deaths of all children aged 0-17 years, irrespective of how they died, in order to identify any learning and/or wider public health issues which may prevent future deaths. Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire has a sub-regional arrangement where learning from all panels is shared across the sub-region.

Following the learning identified from the reviews of children and young persons of school age from across the sub-region we would like to issue the following reminders to schools.  A more in depth report is attached which includes some detail of individual cases.

Road Safety

Schools are encouraged to provide regular updates on road safety to pupils, which should include:

• The safe use of pelican and zebra crossings
• The dangers of being distracted by using i-pods/mobile phones etc when crossing roads
• Winter road safety i.e. if it is dark to wear high visibility clothing if walking or cycling to and from school
• Raising awareness of bike and rider safety - wearing protective gear e.g. high-vis clothing and helmet

Schools are encouraged to sign up to FREE cycle training for pupils such as 'BikeRight!' and Bikeability'. For more information please visit the BikeRight website.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Schools are also encouraged to:

• Raise awareness with students and parents of the dangers of under-age alcohol consumption particular around exam results time
• Utilise the school newsletter to reinforce the dangers of solvent abuse and to remind staff to look out for signs and symptoms of solvent abuse amongst pupils