The Guardian view on social services: there must be no rush to judgment on Bronson Battersby

Bronson Battersby: ‘The job of helping councils to fulfil their responsibilities to vulnerable children is getting harder.’ Photograph: Facebook

The death of a two-year-old boy from dehydration and starvation in Skegness, Lincolnshire, has rightly prompted shock, sadness and anger. Bronson Battersby died because his father and main carer, Kenneth Battersby, was killed by a suspected heart attack and there was no one else in the home to look after him. Bronson was found huddled by his father’s body by a social worker. The last days of his life can only have been profoundly distressing. How could such a terrible thing happen when social services knew he was vulnerable?

We don’t yet know, though the rapid review promised by Lincolnshire county council means more information will soon emerge. A social worker went to the property on 2 January and tried again two days later when no one answered. Social workers are not allowed to break down doors, and on both occasions police were notified. The local force has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.