The reviews, which take place after the worst cases of child abuse or neglect, are intended to provide guidelines for social workers to improve child protection measures and prevent such abuse happening again.

But an inspection of LSCBN by Ofsted found three out of four SCRs ordered in the county between April and August 2007 had failed to meet acceptable standards.

The Chronicle & Echo revealed yesterday how the county had one of the worst records of all authorities, with only three other councils conducting three inadequate reviews during the inspection period.

Chris Few, the independent chairman of the LSCB, said work had begun to improve the reviews, while specialist training would be given to those who carry them out.

He said: "We completely share the concerns raised by Ofsted and regret our processes for carrying out SCRs have been inadequate.

"We have been a very proactive county in carrying out SCRs, to ensure we learn as much as we can when such devastating events take place, and then are in the best possible position to work together to minimise the risk of harm to vulnerable children.

"We believe it is vital that the improvements needed to the way we carry out these reviews are made quickly and effectively implemented."

Mr Few added the Ofsted evaluation was not a reflection of the quality of child protection services themselves, but the way the review was carried out.

He said: "We have already acted to sharpen and improve the way in which we carry out these reviews – which in Northamptonshire are all written by independent authors – but have recognised there is more to do and have now launched an action plan to make sure further improvements take place."

Action includes production of new guidance for management report authors and the introduction of briefings at the start of reviews, together with reference packs for authors and all others involved in the reviews.