Probe after neglected Wolverhampton children found amid vodka bottles and swarming flies
A serious case review is underway into possible agency failings in Wolverhampton after a jailed father kept his neglected children in squalor.
Police found vodka bottles, dirty plates and swarming flies when they visited the man's house.
The man was sentenced to two years in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court in February. He is in his 40s and from Wolverhampton, but cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court was told how authorities were alerted to the family in June last year after one of the youngsters was taken to hospital for a burn on their foot.
It was told there had been concerns for the children over the years, with a supervision order and family proceedings undertaken in 2011.
Wolverhampton council has confirmed the city's Safeguarding Children Board has commissioned the serious case review following the court case.
Alan Coe, the Independent Chair of the board, said: "On behalf of the Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board, I would like to express my sadness at this case.
"A Serious Case Review should be carried out in any instance in which abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected, and there is cause for concern in the way in which the way the authorities or individuals have worked together to safeguard the child.
"It will seek to establish whether there any lessons can be learned which would improve the outcomes for other children in similar circumstances.
"Once we have that report, we will be in position to ascertain whether there are actions any of the agencies need to take either individually or collectively to improve the way they address potential risks to children."
Wolverhampton Safeguarding Children Board consists of representatives from a number of organisations, including health, the police, probation and social care services. There is no indication when the review and report will be completed.
During the sentencing in February, Judge John Wait said when the police arrived at the property they found 'not a home but squalor'. The children were unkempt, their hair and clothing smelled, they had poor dental hygiene, head lice and were described as 'emotionally flat' or with 'frozen awareness' by doctors.
The house smelled and had flies. There were also dirty plates and cutlery piled up, filthy walls and empty vodka bottles strewn on the floor.
The youngsters' sleeping conditions and bedding were 'not appropriate' and the older children were 'almost obligated' to look after the younger children and do the shopping.
All of the children are now in foster care.
