Lewisham Council will “strengthen” its partnership with the police and health organisations which work to keep children safe.

This follows high-profile child deaths in Lewisham, including seven-year-old arson victim Joel Urhie and 15-year-old knife attack victim Jay Hughes.

A local democracy reporter investigation found both children were known to be at risk before their deaths, with Joel’s elder brother stabbed outside the family home and shot at before the arson attack.

Joel’s mother Efe Urhie told ITV News the family had also approached probation services only four days before the fire, when the authorities failed to follow their own risk assessment guidelines to protect the family.

Jay was also found in a group of youths with a knife before his murder - information which was shared with the council and the police, raising concerns over whether enough was done to keep him safe.

The new arrangements, to be called the Lewisham Children’s Safeguarding Partnership, will be headed up by the chief executive with the director of children’s services also on the executive group.

The current safeguarding children board is headed up by an independent chair, and coordinates the work of agencies to safeguard children and promote the welfare of children within Lewisham.

Cllr Chris Barnham said: “We currently have well established arrangements for the safeguarding partnerships, but obviously they could always be improved. 

“This report before you is a response to changes being made by central government following a review. The report recommended action to strengthen the collaboration between local authorities, CCG (clinical commissioning group) and police.”

He said the way the council works with its partners would be kept under review.

“It is really important we keep a strong focus on what happens in Lewisham and how things work in Lewisham,” he said.