Overview
- The report concludes multiple agencies failed throughout Sara’s life, underestimating her father as a serial domestic-abuse perpetrator and allowing his manipulation of professionals.
- In March 2023, Sara returned to school with facial bruising; a referral was made but closed within days without police involvement.
- After her father withdrew her into elective home education in April 2023, Sara disappeared from view, and a council worker later visited an old address two days before her death.
- The review makes 15 recommendations, including requiring a formal meeting with parents and professionals before home schooling a child known to social care, and improving capacity, skills and referral handling.
- Surrey County Council apologised and pledged to implement the findings, the Education Secretary called the failures glaring and promised action, and police and national bodies committed to support reforms; her father and stepmother are serving life sentences for her murder.