A devastating review has concluded that murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif was failed by the very systems designed to protect her, with multiple agencies missing opportunities to intervene before her death.
Systemic Failures in Child Protection
The 10-year-old was found dead at her Woking home in August 2023 after suffering what authorities described as horrific abuse. The review found Sara had been a victim of domestic abuse from birth onwards, with her father Urfan Sharif and stepmother Beinash Batool ultimately responsible for her murder.
According to the damning report, safeguarding authorities appeared to have been groomed and manipulated by her father, leading them to overlook and underestimate his cruelty. The review examined handling of Sara's case across police, health, social care and education services, identifying numerous points where different action could have been taken.
Missed Opportunities and Critical Errors
Among the most shocking failures was a council worker being sent to the wrong address just two days before Sara died because the digital system contained outdated information. The report also highlighted that when her father emailed her school to say he intended to educate Sara at home, this was undoubtedly an attempt to keep her hidden from view in the final weeks of her life.
The review concluded there were many points at which different action could, and we suggest, should, have been taken to protect the vulnerable child.
Justice Served But Lessons Must Be Learned
Last year, Urfan Sharif and Beinash Batool were found guilty of Sara's murder and received life sentences with minimum terms of 40 years and 33 years respectively in December. Her uncle, Faisal Malik, was convicted of causing or allowing her death and jailed for 16 years.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the local child safeguarding practice review highlights the glaring failures and missed opportunities across all agencies which led to Sara's death.
Terence Herbert, chief executive of Surrey County Council, expressed that the authority was deeply sorry for the findings in the report. He confirmed that robust action has already been taken to address council-related failures and promised full implementation of all recommendations.
Herbert noted that children's services in Surrey have improved from inadequate to good in recent years, with continued determination to make improvements that help keep children safe.
