The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “J”) provides an update to the report previously presented 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 Bradford Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) and partners in work to drive improvements across the District’s safeguarding partnership and to hold agencies to account for their work in their area.

 

Recommended -

 

(1)          That it be noted that the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE be reviewed and replaced with a new Strategic Response to CSE.

 

(2)          The a further update on the progress of the 9 Point strategic Response to CSE be submitted to the Committee in 12 month’s time. 

 

(3)          That subsequent reports be provided to Area Committees.

 

(Mark Griffin – 01274 434361)

 

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “J”) provided an update to the report previously presented regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It particularly focused on the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE and how it was used by Bradford Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) and partners in working to drive improvements across the District’s safeguarding partnership and to hold agencies to account for their work in their area.

 

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services highlighted the progress that had been made since the last report:

 

·                Review of the BSCB in light of the Wood Review and the Children and Social Work Act.

·                Further review of the CSE Hub around operational functionality.

·                Refresh of the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE.

·                Introduction of a monthly CSE Operational meeting to compliment daily activity and the strategic CSE Sub-Group.

·                Completion and publication of two serious case reviews around CSE.

·                Co-location of Local Authority and Police resources to oversee Missing Children.

·                Establishment of Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) Sub-Group which allowed continual quality assurance.

·                Recent JTAI inspection recognised effective arrangements around child protection.

·                Innovative methods of raising awareness through Safeguarding Stories, Mr Shapeshifter, Someone’s Sister and Someone’s Daughter and Police Cyber Teams.

·                Barnardo’s Nightwatch and Police Problem Solving Teams continued to work effectively with the industry sector and night time economy.

·                Increased communication and awareness through the BSCB and CSE campaigns.

·                Internet Safety Conference to share good practice and increase awareness with 80 delegates involved.

 

It was reported that at a previous meeting a request was made to include data on the number of children under 16 that had been diagnosed with a STD (sexually transmitted disease), the number of children under 16 that had multiple pregnancy terminations and numbers and what action had been taken in relation to historical cases.  Enquiries with Children’s Services and the Health agencies had indicated that it would not be possible to collate and obtain this data due to the complexity of arrangements that provided services for these matters.

 

A representative of the Police highlighted the key points of the report and emphasised that there had been a year on year increase in referrals to the CSE Hub which was seen as a sign of success as it raised awareness.

 

It was reported that an extra sergeant had been appointed to support the work of the CSE Hub.

 

Members were informed that ongoing actions relating to the Autumn Serious Case Review Action Plan and Jack Serious Case Review Action Plan was outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

 

A representative of Barnardo’s attended the meeting and reported that Bradford had been innovative in its parenting support programmes on CSE as well as producing a CSE “Parenting Education Pack”.  This was a resource that addressed the gap in current provision to help parents participate and contribute to the safety and protection of their children from CSE.

 

Examples of positive work undertaken by the CSE Hub was tabled at the meeting.

 

The Chair of the Safeguarding Children’s Board congratulated all agencies and partnerships on the work being undertaken on CSE and the way that they operated in a transparent and honest way.

 

The Portfolio for Health and Wellbeing emphasised the strong partnerships Bradford had with various agencies; safeguarding was a key priority for this Council and would continue to be taken seriously even with limited resources; support for services dealing with chid sex exploitation would not be reduced even in the climate of budget cuts.

 

Members commented on a number of issues which included:

 

·         Had bus drivers had any training on CSE?

·         Congratulated all agencies in the work being undertaken on CSE; how successful was the parenting programme and did parents complete the full six week programme?

·         How were people referred to the parenting programme?

·         Why had there been no further action on 14 incidents where a suspect had been named?

·         Page 36 of the report showed 23 children were out of area and at risk of CSE; why was the figure so high? how was support provided if the children were out of area? was there an under reporting of CSE from BME communities?

·         What was the position on the requirement to have a Safeguarding Board?

·         How successful had the Nightwatch programme been? Was one to one support available at parenting programmes as some families were reluctant to share feelings with a group? did fathers attend the parenting programme?

·         Congratulated partners on the quality of the theatre production “Mr Shapeshifter”; response from children who had seen it was very positive; Year 6 pupils were going into secondary school better prepared; what steps had been taken to make the play into a DVD?

·         CSE training for schools, GP’s etc needed to be mandatory; training and support for schools in identifying the signs of being groomed for CSE was essential.

·         Needed to learn lessons from the Serious Case Review and ensure measures were in place to do things differently to protect children; doctors, contraception clinics, teachers, social workers, police all needed to do more.

·         It was essential to have clear pathways into therapeutic services for children and adults who had experienced sexual exploitation.

 

In response to Members’ questions it was reported that;

 

·         Work on CSE was being undertaken with bus companies.

·         The six week parenting programme on CSE was two hours a session once a week over a six week period.

·         A concrete system was being set up for referrals for the parenting programmes; referrals were currently being made via the Early Help Gateway Programme; CSE Hub, schools etc.

·         Further action was “not deemed in the public interest” in certain cases and due to the recent changes in the law in relation to sexting; there were other agencies that could deal with such cases.

·         Children who were resident in Bradford and then moved would still be managed by Bradford.

·         There was under reporting of CSE within all communities.

·         Consultation with local authorities on the role of the Safeguarding Board would start soon; there would need to be a revised structure for a Safeguarding Board in place by April 2019 with full implementation in June 2019.

·         The Nightwatch programme had been very successful and well received; fathers did attend the parenting programme; practitioners were being trained  to offer courses at different times, plans were in place to offer a wider model; the course was designed for groups but could be adapted to offer one to one sessions to cater for individual family needs.

·         When an incident was reported the police were duty bound to investigate it; looked at a whole host of information and what contact that person had with other people to show potential victims; some investigations were difficult as victims did not see themselves as victims; more historic cases were being found.

·         Positive feedback had been received on the “Mr Shapeshifter” play; looking at turning it into a DVD; number of leaflets and online resources were available for parents; parents were being sign posted to other support; lots of resources were available online; anyone could access safeguarding videos.

 

A resident who was affected by CSE and her supporter attended the meeting and made the following comments:

 

·         What was the level of work undertaken by the Safeguarding Board since the last Serious Case Review?

·         Were parent classes an appropriate way forward if a parent was dealing with their child being exploited? It was more important to have the appropriate support in place for families.

·         Had parents been consulted on the nine point strategic response? parents felt professionals did not understand what they were going through; emphasis should be on resilience of parents.

·         A Number of children were receiving specialist care out of local authority provision – what happened to young people when they returned from local authority placements? could they engage back in education? needed to ensure children do not go back into the same situation; how many achieved good GCSE’s? how many went to college or became NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)?.

·         Why did a number of referrals have to be made before action was taken to prevent CSE? needed to provide appropriate support early on.

 

In response to the queries raised the Police Representative reported that children who were referred to the CSE Hub a number of times could be because they may not be at risk of CSE; had to look at intelligence and speak to individuals who may not see themselves as victims; if there was no risk first time and another referral came in another risk assessment would be undertaken.

 

The Strategic Director Children Services emphasised that children were placed outside the district but the authority kept children local where possible; Bradford had more provision than other local authorities; vast majority of children homes were good or outstanding; the authority had invested heavily in foster care; sometimes it was in the best interest of a child to be placed outside the local authority; the authority always planned to bring the child back; vast majority of children returned home to where they were living if it was in the best interest of the child; the authority was working hard to improve the life chances of children; a number of young people had gone on to university and had the ability to move on.

 

The Strategic Director Children Services reported that the Serious Case Review was framed by experiences of young people and parents. The work in relation to CSE was recognised and would continue to develop.

 

Resolved-

 

(1)       That an update on the progress of the 9 Point Strategic Response to CSE and issues raised at the meeting be submitted to the Committee in 12 months time.

 

(2)       That tailored reports on CSE be provided to Area Committees.

 

Action:           Strategic Director, Children’s Services