In March 2014, two-year-old Liam Fee was found dead at his home in Fife, Scotland. Investigations revealed that he had suffered prolonged abuse at the hands of his mother, Rachel Fee, and her partner, Nyomi Fee. Both were convicted of murder and child abuse in 2016. A subsequent Significant Case Review identified multiple missed opportunities by child protection services to intervene and safeguard Liam's well-being.

Lessons Learned: Enhancing Safeguarding Measures

The tragic circumstances surrounding Liam Fee's death underscore critical areas for improvement in child protection:

Improved Inter-Agency Communication: The review highlighted that better information sharing between health visitors, social workers, and other professionals could have identified the risks to Liam earlier, prompting timely interventions.

Thorough Risk Assessments: There was a failure to conduct comprehensive assessments of Liam's living conditions and well-being, which might have revealed signs of abuse and neglect.

Enhanced Training for Professionals: The case emphasised the need for ongoing training to help professionals recognise and respond effectively to signs of child abuse and to challenge assumptions that may hinder protective actions.

Parental Engagement and Support: Providing targeted support and monitoring for families exhibiting risk factors could help address underlying issues and prevent harm to children.

Implementing these lessons is crucial to strengthen safeguarding frameworks and prevent future tragedies similar to Liam Fee's case.

AUTHOR:- Iona has nearly 10 years of experience supporting nurseries and childminders in curriculum planning, leadership, and safeguarding. Her writing is informed by public information and sector insight, aiming to provide accessible, practical support for professionals working with children. She is part of the On the Button team, helping deliver Well-being, Safeguarding and Complaint Management Software that empowers practitioners to identify concerns early and act confidently.

On the Button provides innovative software tailored to the needs of the early years sector, with a strong focus on EYFS well-being and early years safeguarding. Our tools help senior practitioners to confidently track concerns, maintain robust records, and respond effectively — all while meeting statutory guidance. From early years complaint management to team-wide safeguarding alerts, our platform puts children's safety and emotional health first.