Northamptonshire child neglect case: why was toddler allowed to stay at home?

Analysis: Review of Child AU case is clear on the shortcomings of the professionals and services involved

• Social workers failed to act quickly to protect neglected toddler, inquiry says

Life for Child AU, the toddler at the centre of the UK's latest child protection scandal, was almost unbearably bleak: she was unloved, isolated, underfed, understimulated, ignored and left shivering in her cot for hours wearing filthy nappies.

It can be surmised that Child AU learned that there was little if any point in crying," the Northamptonshire safeguarding practice review noted grimly. Health professionals noted that she presented as sad, watchful and frozen."