The report of the Chief Executive (Document “H” which contains Not For Publication Appendix E) provides an update on the contemporary strategic response to all forms of exploitation of children and adults at risk of exploitation and how partners from The Bradford Partnership – Working together to safeguard children and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board work to drive continuous improvement and to hold agencies to account for their work on this subject. This report also outlines the challenges presented to the partnership following the global pandemic – Covid 19 and the current update on progress made to the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Thematic Review recommendations published on July 27, 2021.

The Bradford Partnership and Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board have produced their annual reports cover the period April 2020 – March 2021

Appendix E – Is exempt under paragraph 7 (Crime Prevention) Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972

Recommended -

(1)       The Executive is invited to note the report

(2)       The Executive commit to working closely with partners to Continue to raise awareness of exploitation of both adult and children

(3)       The Executive 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.

(4)       The Executive encourages members to attend the exploitation awareness/training event for elected members to be held on 3^rd November 2021.

Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee

(Darren Minton – 01274 434361)

The report of the Chief Executive (Document “H” which contained Not For Publication Appendix E) provided an update on the contemporary strategic response to all forms of exploitation of children and adults at risk of exploitation and how partners from The Bradford Partnership – Working together to safeguard children and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board work to drive continuous improvement and to hold agencies to account for their work on this subject. This report also outlined the challenges presented to the partnership following the global pandemic – Covid 19 and the current update on progress made to the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Thematic Review recommendations published on July 27, 2021.

The Bradford Partnership and Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board had produced their annual reports cover the period April 2020 – March 2021

Appendix E – was exempt under paragraph 7 (Crime Prevention) Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972

The Leader stated that the Council and partners would do their utmost to protect children and vulnerable adults from exploitation and would support the police in taking cases of exploitation to prosecution.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder was pleased to note the reduction in the number of young people missing.

The Community Safety Portfolio Holder noted that Bradford, unlike a number of other authorities,  had retained its Youth Service which was undertaking vital work such as Breaking the Cycle and early prevention.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder stressed the importance of protecting children and adults and ensuring their safety.  An Adult Safeguarding Board had been appointed and safeguarding measures had continued through Covid and the voice of adults had been evident. 

The Independent Chair of the Bradford Partnership attended the meeting together with representative of all of the partnership agencies.  She emphasised that they had adopted a holistic approach starting at early intervention.  She noted the significant reduction in the number of children going missing from home.  She referred to the work being undertaken by the Youth Service and the all age exploitation group that went up to 25 years of age.  She noted that there was a lot to be proud of but that no one could be complacent. There were people in all communities who would exploit children and good curriculum and early intervention were needed to prepare and protect children.

In attendance were representatives of the partnership from West Yorkshire Police, Health Trust, Children’s Services and Youth Service and they confirmed their commitment to work together to protect vulnerable children and adults from exploitation.

In response to a question from the Children and Families Portfolio Holder regarding on line grooming and exploitation it was noted that the schools were provided with weekly updates, resources were provided for children and parents, free access was provided to training for schools and parents, West Yorkshire Police had developed PSE lesson plans for children up to 16 and Bradford was the only place in West Yorkshire with cyber PCSO’s.  It was recognised that more could be done on partner websites and that there was a need to be creative to maximise the use of other resources.  There was also an opportunity to work with the media to roll out messages regarding on line exploitation.

In response to a question from the Community Safety Portfolio Holder on how the police were responding nationally it was noted that in the last 10 years there had been a significant increase in resources being directed at issues of exploitation and safeguarding with proactive work being undertaken on such areas as children missing from home.

In response to a question from the Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder regarding support for vulnerable adults it was noted that there was regular liaison between the police and the Strategic Director of Adult Services on how to work more effectively such as training, interventions and developing a new West Yorkshire wide system of referrals.  Reference was made to the All age exploitation group. 

The Leader of the Opposition Group stressed that any form of exploitation was abhorrent and that perpetrators must be held to account.  She added that partnership working was key and was pleased to note the work being undertaken in Breaking the Cycle and early intervention in schools and hospitals.  She noted that looked after children were particularly vulnerable and emphasised the need to give better support to them.  She was pleased to note that work on transition went up to the age of 25 and covered a significant age where people were more vulnerable.

Resolved -

(1)       That the report be noted

(2)       That the Executive commit to working closely with partners to Continue to raise awareness of exploitation of both adult and children

(3)       That the Executive 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.

(4)       That the Executive encourages members to attend the exploitation awareness/training event for elected members to be held on 3^rd November 2021.

(5)       That an appropriate report reflecting the content of Document “H” be presented to all Area Committees to identify work being undertaken in their area.

Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION: Chief Executive