The Chief Executive will present a report (Document “F”) which provides an update to and builds on the report presented to the District Area Committees previously regarding the issue of Child Exploitation (CE). It focuses on the Strategic Response to all forms of exploitation in Children and Adults and how partners from the Working Together to Safeguard Children – the Bradford Partnership and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board work to drive improvements across the District and to hold agencies to account for their work in their area. This report also outlines the emergence of other complex safeguarding themes and outlines how partners are effectively collaborating and focussing upon the protection of vulnerable Children and Adults.

Recommended –

(1)  The Area Committee is invited to consider the contents of this report and how members can support local activity.

(2)  The Area Committee shall receive a further update on the progress of the response to exploitation in 12 months’ time.

(3)  Partners will seek further funding opportunities from Government funding streams to enable to continuation of service provision as outlined in this report.

(Darren Minton – 01274 434361)

(Children’ Services & Health & Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committees)

The Chief Executive present a report (Document “F”) which provided an update to and built upon the report presented to the District’s Area Committees previously regarding the issue of Child Exploitation (CE). It focused on the Strategic Response to all forms of exploitation in Children and Adults and how partners from the Working Together to Safeguard Children – the Bradford Partnership and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board worked to drive improvements across the District and to hold agencies to account for their work in their area. The report also outlined the emergence of other complex safeguarding themes and how partners were effectively collaborating and focussing upon the protection of vulnerable Children and Adults.

A Member queried how the pandemic had affected this work and was advised by a representative of West Yorkshire Police that lockdown had led to a noticeable reduction in calls which gave rise to the concern that some incidents may not have been reported. As children returned to school, reports of concerns went back up again. It was stressed that resources had been increased and every effort was made to investigate reports and to intervene as early as possible.

It was also stated that the incidence of young people missing from home had reduced significantly during lockdown.

In response to a question about cyber exploitation, Members were advised that there was a dedicated team of six PCSOs who worked on this issue and who offered training to children in primary schools to prevent such exploitation. In secondary schools, there was a team of officers who dealt with all incidents appropriately, including the use of restorative justice where possible. Bradford was the only local authority currently doing proactive work in schools on this topic. Members commended the team for that work.

A Member asked a series of questions, including :-

·         following the move from CSE to all forms of exploitation, would all children continue to be viewed as victims ?

·         was there a reason for the difference in the rates of turnaround for boys and girls ?

·         the systems described involved a lot of referrals, was there a risk of missed communications or appointments ?

In response, she was advised that, in terms of the social care response, all young people would continue to be viewed as victims and that there would be no reduction in response now that teams were working together. It was also explained that the service was tailored to make its response bespoke to the needs of the individual young person, which would affect the response for boys and girls. Also, it was explained that the system for referral was robust and that processes were in place to flag and address any missed appointments.

Members noted that the team presenting this report had another meeting to attend and suggested that they email and further questions. The team welcomed this approach and undertook to provide prompt responses to those questions. It was also noted that the independent thematic Serious Case Review of CSE was due for publication in May and Members stressed the need for that to be circulated to them.

Resolved –

(1)  That the work of the Bradford District Cyber Team be noted and welcomed.

(2)  That a follow up report with a greater focus on Bradford East be presented in six months time.

(3)  That, once published, the independent thematic Serious Case Review of CSE be circulated to members.

Action:  Chief Executive

(Children’ Services & Health & Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committees)