The Chief Executive will submit a report (Document “S”)on the CSE Thematic Review which was commissioned in 2019 by the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, subsequently replaced by the Bradford Partnership – Working Together to Safeguard Children. The three statutory partners of the Partnership are the Council, Police and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and also a number of key agencies, designated as “relevant agencies” are also members. It has an independent chair and scrutineer- Jane Booth.

The review was commissioned in accordance with governmental guidance in force at the time and focuses on the response of the agencies in Bradford to Child Sexual Exploitation. Five specific cases formed the basis of the review, two non-recent cases of CSE which have already been in the public domain and the media and three more recent cases.  The review also includes a review of three more recent cases.  It was led by an independent author Clare Hyde MBE.  The review looks in detail at the experiences of five children.  It spans a 20-year period from 2001 through a range of political administrations and officers.  No individuals are named- the report focuses on children and learning.

The review was published on the 27^{th of} July 2021

Recommended -

(1)       The Executive is invited to note the report

(2)       That Executive receive a full report in November on current work in relation to   exploitation of both children and adults and that this includes details of work in relation to the CSE actions in the Thematic review.

(3)       The Council commit to working closely with partners to deliver on      the actions within the developmental action plan and progressing     the extensive wider work presently on going in Bradford

(Children’s Services Overview &Scrutiny Committee)

(Darren Minton – 01274 434361)

Recommended -

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That Executive receive a full report in November on current work in relation to  exploitation of both children and adults and that this includes details of work in relation to the CSE actions in the Thematic review.

(3)       The Council commit to working closely with partners to deliver on      the actions within the developmental action plan and progressing     the extensive wider work presently on going in Bradford

Children’s Services Overview &Scrutiny Committee

ACTION: Chief Executive

The Chief Executive submitted a report (Document “S”)on the CSE Thematic Review which was commissioned in 2019 by the Bradford Safeguarding Children Board, subsequently replaced by the Bradford Partnership – Working Together to Safeguard Children. The three statutory partners of the Partnership were the Council, Police and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and also a number of key agencies, designated as “relevant agencies” were also members. It had an independent chair and scrutineer- Jane Booth.

The review was commissioned in accordance with governmental guidance in force at the time and focused on the response of the agencies in Bradford to Child Sexual Exploitation. Five specific cases formed the basis of the review, two non-recent cases of CSE which had already been in the public domain and the media and three more recent cases.  The review also included a review of three more recent cases.  It was led by an independent author Clare Hyde MBE.  The review looked in detail at the experiences of five children.  It spanned a 20-year period from 2001 through a range of political administrations and officers.  No individuals were named- the report focused on children and learning.

The review was published on the 27^{th of} July 2021.  The Chair of the Bradford Partnership noted that the report had been relatively well received.  She added that the report reflected back over years of practice and that despite many positives identified such as Bradford establishing a multi-agency hub early and partnership working, the whole country was on a learning curve regarding CSE.  The report highlighted the damage done to individuals.  The report was framed according to  national guidelines with the purpose of identifying if there were still things to learn.

The Strategic Director Bradford District and Craven Clinical commissioning Group noted that the Health Service had a crucial role in safeguarding individuals from CSE, providing training so that staff could recognise the signs of CSE.  He stressed the importance of all agencies working together in strong partnerships to address issues regarding CSE.

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services noted the distressing nature of the report.  He emphasised that the multi-agency response to CSE would identify and keep children safe and that perpetrators would be brought to justice.  He stressed the strength in partnership working.

The Leader referred to the shocking crimes perpetrated against young people and how their lives had been damaged.  She noted that victims were both male and female and across ethnicities.  She stressed the need to ensure that vulnerable children were protected.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder referred to the horrendous nature of the crimes that preyed on young people and demonstrated the worst aspects of human behaviour.  She noted that perpetrators came from all classes and cultures and that focusing on one area left another avenue open to abusers.  She asked the partnership whether everything was being focussed on and identifying potential avenues for abuse to take place.

The Chair of the Bradford Partnership responded that the vast majority  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37