Hakeem Hussain: Review finds all agencies failed Birmingham boy

The seven-year-old died from an Asthma attack after suffering neglect at the hands of his mum.

Author: Matt MaddrenPublished 1st Sep 2022

A serious case review into the death of 7 year old Hakeem Hussain in Birmingham five years ago has found all those involved in his care failed to save him..

Hakeem died from an asthma attack after suffering neglect at the hands of his mum - who didn't keep on top of the condition.

She's now in prison for causing his death and the neglect she subjected him to.

The report - authored by Penny Thompson CBE, has found the level of Hakeem's neglect wasn't spotted - though it says it should have been clear.

Hakeem's frequent absence from school wasn't looked into - and his mum's poor management of his asthma also wasn't addressed.

All agencies involved were found to have failed to keep his father updated with findings or concerning information about his son.

The review goes on to say health services didn't spot extra asthma supplies being ordered - which his mother was using for her drug habit.

Ms Thompson says 'The extent of Hakeem’s neglect was there to be seen well before the decision to place him on a Child Protection Plan two days before his death.'

She goes on to say that a lot has changed in the intervening five years since Hakeem’s death - with significant developments and improvement in services for children and families in Birmingham.

Police, the NHS and Local Authority all now have equal responsibility for safeguarding arrangements.

We've contacted the multiple agencies involved for their response to the report.

Ms Heath, 39, of no fixed address, was convicted back in April of manslaughter. She had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of child cruelty.

She was sentenced to twenty years in prison.

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