A safeguarding review has found there were “several missed opportunities” to support and protect a teenager who was fatally stabbed in Slough.
Temur Qureshi, 19, died after being attacked in September 2023. His death led to a review by Slough Safeguarding Partnership, which includes the council, police, NHS and other agencies.
Jack Patterson, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was later sentenced to nine years in prison for manslaughter.
The review found that both Mr Qureshi and Patterson had previous involvement with children’s social care, youth justice services and enforcement agencies. However, investigators said opportunities to intervene and provide meaningful support were missed.
According to the report, safeguarding systems often focus on whether young people pose a risk to others rather than understanding the risks and harms they themselves face.
Investigators also found that factors such as race, class and wider social circumstances received too little attention when assessing the lives of vulnerable young people.
The review highlighted the importance of engaging with children and young adults at “reachable moments”, such as after an arrest or other significant life events, when support and intervention may be most effective.
Mr Qureshi experienced multiple traumatic events before his death. His best friend, Abdul Aziz Ansari, was killed in a separate fatal stabbing in May 2022.
His mother told investigators: “[He] never had time to grieve properly. He was in the youth offending institute following the stabbing of his best friend.”
While serving time at Feltham Young Offenders Institution, Mr Qureshi was assaulted by five young men and airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
His mother said: “When he was discharged from hospital, he was living in fear, and no one was listening to him. “He was in fear for his life and the whole family. No one had any solutions.”
The review also highlighted concerns over housing support.
Mr Qureshi had requested accommodation outside Slough because he no longer felt safe in the town and wanted an opportunity to rebuild his life with his daughter.
A youth worker attempted to support his request, but the review found communication between agencies became strained and failed to result in practical assistance.
Investigators concluded that more work was needed to respond effectively to housing needs and risk factors affecting vulnerable residents.
Mr Qureshi’s mother said: “He was not offered accommodation out of the area. He was not supported to rebuild his life. He once again felt labelled and judged and that no one was listening to him.”
The review also noted that insecure and temporary housing conditions experienced by many families may contribute to wider issues including educational exclusion and vulnerability.
Among its recommendations, the report called for the experiences, voices and participation of children and young adults to be placed at the centre of safeguarding policies and decision-making.
It also urged agencies to prioritise the welfare and safety of young people and continue implementing Slough’s safeguarding strategy on exploitation and violence.
Responding to the findings, East Berkshire Commander and Safeguarding Partnership Chair Chief Superintendent Stuart Bosley said: “This tragic incident has reinforced the need for strong partnership working between official agencies and the wider community, including children and young people, our neighbourhoods, faith groups and individual families.
“The Safeguarding Partnership will continue to work together to do everything we can to protect young people, and we have already made significant progress on the recommendations highlighted in this review. Our thoughts remain with the family and those affected.”
