The Chief Executive Office will submit a report (Document “R”) which 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

Recommended –

(1)       The Area Committee is invited to note the report.

(2)       The Children`s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee        commit to working closely with partners to Continue to raise     awareness of exploitation of both adult and children.

(3)       A further report to be presented in 12 months.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services

(Darren Minton / Jane Booth  - 01274 434361)

The Chief Executive’s Office submitted a report (Document “R”) which 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. The report also outlined the challenges presented to the partnership following the global pandemic.

It was explained that this was the annual report to the Area Committee, having been considered by the Executive and Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and that it brings the Area Committee up to date as to what we are doing as a Partnership, with a greater emphasis on the response to all forms of exploitation.  As a word of caution, it was emphasised that the figures relied upon in the report were just a snapshot of the situation and that they were subject to continuous change.

During the discussion, the questions, together with the responses are set out below:

In response to a question on the recently published CSE Thematic Review and the progress that had been on implementation of the recommendations therein, it was stressed that the majority of them had been acted upon, however recommendations relating to the criminalisation of young people and therapeutic support still required some work.

In relation to a question on children who were missing, how many of those were the subject of grooming/CSE as well as criminal exploitation, it was stressed that there was a strong correlation between missing children and CSE and that in Bradford good inroads had been made in reducing the number of children missing, through intervention measures.  Further information could be provided to Members on this aspect.

A representative from West Yorkshire Police commented that it was important to prioritise high risk cases in tackling CSE as well as looking at patterns of behaviour, with missing children being a factor.

In response to a question on how medium and high risk were differentiated, it was explained that a screening tool looked at risk factors in relation to vulnerability, as well as the application of professional judgement of partners.  Therefore, though there was a methodology, identifying risk was a fluid process, where good judgement had to be applied.

A Member stated that Bradford was a place of sanctuary, where there was large asylum/refugee community and this particular group faced particular issues, given their vulnerability, were open to exploitation, and she ascertained what interventions were in place to help this particular group.  In response it was stated that this group was very much included in the fight to tackle exploitation, in all its forms, but that he was happy to look at this data again and provide additional details.  It was stated that the Police employed an officer dedicated to working with new and emerging communities.  In addition working alongside the hate crime coordinator, specific issues affecting this community were picked up.

In response to a question on the work done around breaking the cycle and the statistics around the numbers helped, it was stressed that although a lot of intense work is done, individuals could relapse and take a step back, and vulnerability and risk could not be eliminated entirely.

A Member raised specific concerns around the data set out in the report, with some areas showing very high numbers of children at risk from CSE.  In response it was stated that the data has to be seen in context and as a snapshot of the situation at any given time, however officers were happy to provide a more contextual analysis around the CSE data and children that were missing, where possible.

It was also explained that within Bradford South, the intervention and work of the Youth Service had been crucial in reducing the number of children being exploited and this preventative work should be acknowledged.

Further examples of the sterling work done by the Partners was given to Members, and it was:

Resolved –

(1)       That the report be welcomed and that officers and partners be thanked for presenting a detailed report and responding to Members’ questions.

(2)       That this Area Committee is committed to working closely with            partners to continue to raise awareness of exploitation of both           adults and children.

(3)       That a further report be presented in 12 months’ time.

ACTION: Chief Executive

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services