National Child Safeguarding Review Calls for Urgent Reform After Baby Victoria Tragedy
A comprehensive national child safeguarding review has issued a stark warning today, demanding better support for parents whose children are taken into care to prevent future harm to infants. The report, published by the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel, follows the tragic death of baby Victoria Marten, whose decomposed remains were found in a tent on the South Downs in January 2023.
Systemic Failures and Repeated Patterns of Harm
The review reveals that baby Victoria's birth was the last in a rapid series of five pregnancies over six years, from 2017 to 2023, within her family. Each pregnancy coincided with escalating safeguarding concerns and repeated moves by her parents, aristocrat Constance Marten and convicted rapist Mark Gordon, who was originally from Birmingham. The couple displayed a persistent reluctance to engage with authorities, moving five times during this period.
Professionals failed to anticipate Victoria's conception and birth adequately, despite the family's history. The report states that no single agency or professional had specific responsibility for supporting Marten and Gordon after their children were removed, leaving them isolated and unsupported. This lack of coordinated care may have reinforced their perception of harm caused by children's social care, making the concealment of Victoria feel subjectively rational to them.
Critical Lessons and Recommendations
Panel chairman Sir David Holmes emphasized that while removing children from harmful situations protects those children, it does not address the root problem. He warned that such actions might even increase the risk of harm for future unborn children. The review calls for national guidance on safeguarding vulnerable babies, including content on concealed pregnancies and pre-birth planning when child protection risks exist.
Key recommendations include developing effective parental engagement strategies in collaboration with adult services, ensuring consistency across the country, and clarifying local authority responsibilities when families move. Additionally, the panel urges the government to strengthen requirements for registered sex offenders to notify police of pregnancies in their relationships, with potential prison sentences for non-compliance.
Broader Context and Government Response
The case highlights broader issues in child protection. Official statistics show that 5,360 infants under one year old were subject to child protection plans in England as of March 31, 2025, with 36% of serious harm or death cases involving babies under one year old. Sir David noted that Victoria's death was not predictable, but her conception arguably was, underscoring the need for proactive measures.
In response, the Department for Education spokesperson highlighted the government's commitment to reform, citing the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill as a landmark effort to strengthen child protection. The bill aims to improve information sharing between agencies and establish specialized child protection teams. The government has also invested £2.4 billion through the Families First Partnership programme to provide early support for families.
Marten and Gordon were jailed for 14 years in September for killing their newborn baby while on the run, after being found guilty of manslaughter, child cruelty, concealing the birth, and perverting the course of justice. The review acknowledges their awful crimes but stresses that honoring Victoria's legacy requires making the safeguarding system better for vulnerable babies in the future.
