INFORMATION sharing must improve to prevent tragedies like the death of Leiland-James Corkill happening again, a children's charity has said.

In response to a report looking into the child's death, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children said urgent lessons needed to be learnt.

The review concluded prospective mother Laura Castle misled social workers and agencies could have done better to share information. 

Clare Kelly, NSPCC associate head of policy and public affairs, said: “The tragic murder of Leiland-James Corkill is another pivotal reminder of the urgent need for national leadership to radically reform the entirety of the children’s social care system.

“The report highlights, among other issues, a lack of information sharing between agencies, which we know is a persistent problem in the system.

“It is crucial that the seeking and sharing of information between all agencies involved in child safeguarding and adoption processes is strengthened to spot potential dangers earlier.

Local health authorities were also involved in the adoption process

Professor Sarah O’Brien, the chief nursing officer of the NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “lt by those who loved him, we are fully committed and determined to learn and address the issues raised. We will strive to do all we can to prevent anything like this from happening again.

“As health partners, we fully accept the findings of this report and would like to assure the public that we have been working closely with colleagues across all agencies to embed learning within our organisations.

“Ensuring professionals are openly and proactively sharing information throughout the adoption process is vital and it saddens and disappoints us that the review has highlighted a number of gaps where this needs to be improved.

“Lack of robust information sharing continues to feature in child death reviews nationally and for Leiland-James, information sharing was not good enough throughout the critical stages of the adoptive process. Steps have already been taken locally to address this and a recommendation to change national guidance has also been made.

“It is essential that professionals who are involved with the adoption process understand and accept the importance of their own role to ensure children in placements are safe and well cared for and we will continue to work together to achieve this.”