The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “T”) which provides an update to the report presented to the Council Executive on 13^th January 2015 and subsequently to the District’s Area Committees regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It particularly focuses on the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE and how it is used by BSCB and partners in work to drive improvements across the District’s safeguarding partnership and to hold agencies to account for their work in this area.

Recommended –

(1)       The Executive is invited to endorse the revised 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE both in respect of identified priorities and methodology.

(2)       The Executive shall receive a further update on the progress of the 9 Point strategic Response to CSE in 12 months time.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “T”) which provided an update to the report presented to the Council Executive on 13^th January 2015 and subsequently to the District’s Area Committees regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It particularly focused on the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE and how it is used by BSCB and partners in work to drive improvements across the District’s safeguarding partnership and to hold agencies to account for their work in this area.

The Strategic Director Children’s Services stated that this was an annual

update report on CSE and that as well as driving up improvements in tackling

the issue, he welcomed the scrutiny and challenge and the need not to be

complacent on the issue.  He highlighted that whilst there had been increased

reporting, partners were now more adept in identifying the signs and

responding to CSE.

The Assistant Director Performance, Commissioning ?Partnership stated that

the report also gave a national context as well as details on the work of the

multi agency hub.  Successful work with the night time economy was alluded

to  and although there had been increase in the number of referrals, this was

primarily down to increased reporting and awareness of the issues.  She

stressed that the Council and its partners were not complacent and were

continuously working to drive up improvements.  Mandatory training for

Councillors and taxi drivers on CSE was referred to as well as the successful

play in secondary schools to raise awareness.

A representative from West Yorkshire Police was also present and echoed the

progress made in tackling CSE, in particular the work of the Hub in supporting

victims and vulnerable individuals.

The Leader welcomed the improvements made and the successful

partnership working between the Council and the Police and questioned how

the reported 65% increase had been explained.  In response the Assistant

Director stated that the Partnership viewed the increase as the confidence in

reporting incidents of CSE.

In response to a question regarding gangs and CSE, it was stressed that

abuse came from a variety of settings and although there were some

organised crime and gang related issues, the Police focus was on the victims

of CSE.

The Strategic Director emphasised that CSE was a breach of trust between

an adult and a child and that it occurred in a variety of settings and we needed

to be perceptive to this.  In addition schools work around prevention was

building resilience in the system.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder thanked officers for the report and

the work done in tackling CSE and she stressed that CSE was an issue for

everyone as it was the responsibility of the whole community to protect

children.

Resolved –

(1)          That the revised 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE set out in    Document “T” both in respect of identified priorities and         methodology be endorsed.

(2)          That a further update on the progress of the 9 Point strategic      Response to CSE be considered in 12 months time.

(3)          That a report setting out the issue of CSE at a constituency level           be considered by each of the 5 Area Committees.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Children’s Services / City Solicitor                                   (referral to Area Committees)

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services