The Strategic Director, Children’s Services (Document “Z”) provides an update to the report presented to the Bradford West Area Committee in 2017 regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It sets out the arrangements that have been put in place, and which continue to develop, to safeguard children from CSE.

Recommended –

(1)       That the contents of the report be noted.

(2)       That ways in which CSE can be tackled at a local level be            considered.

(Mark Griffin – 01274 434361)

The Strategic Director, Children’s Services (Document “Z”) provided an update to the report presented to the Bradford West Area Committee in 2017 regarding the issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). It set out the arrangements that had been put in place, and which continue to develop, to safeguard children from CSE.

Following a synopsis of the report by The Bradford Safeguarding Children Board Manager, a question and answer session followed:

·         In regards to bus drivers, how seriously was training being considered?

o   This was a good suggestion that could be considered as conditions as part of the recruitment process;

·         Succeeding the review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards, when would the statutory arrangements be introduced with the new statutory framework for multi-agency arrangements for child protection, requiring the three key agencies, health, police and local authorities?

o   The statutory guidelines would be released in the coming months which would include safeguarding requirements in the Council run operations. Safeguarding arrangements will continue to exist in the district;

·         Had the appointment for a new harm reduction Police Sergeant been made to date?

o   Yes;

·         Was the new operational CSE and Missing Tactical Operations Group looking at incidents of children that may have been missed?

o   This area was looked into on a daily basis;

·         The Bradford Safeguarding Children Board undertook a partnership review of the working of the CSE Hub in December 2015. It included 8 agencies and resulted in a detailed plan containing 18 actions. The detailed plan, as highlighted in Appendix 2, was this a one off action?

o   There was no outstanding activity and at present, a continual improvement plan;

·         The review provided evidence of the necessity for clearer pathways into therapeutic services for children and adults who had experienced sexual exploitation. Which services had been utilised in order to assist with necessary services?

o   During a previous count, there were a total of 76 provisions available for delivery of services, however services were continuously changing. It was about identifying the correct service need;

·         Was the CSE prevention theatre production “Mr Shapeshifter” available for all schools?

o   This production was delivered to every school who requested the service;

o   In response to answer, why was the Council unable to make this a mandatory obligation onto schools? The Council was not allowed to mandate until new legislation in 2019. Nevertheless, it was a must on schools to have safeguarding arrangements in place and in order for the Council to establish such arrangements, a questionnaire had gone out to all schools to this effect;

·         What was the consequences of different agencies disagreeing on a safeguarding issue in a school?

o   It was possible to escalate the issue to a higher level which would allow schools and each individual agency to challenge the safeguarding of a particular child;

o   In response to answer, was this a policy in effect now? Yes, since February 2018;

·         Had the Council made contact with Asian radio shows?

o   The service was open to fulfilling further gaps with Asian radio shows and the Council was hoping that offers would be taken up;

·         In regards to educating the community, how were Councillors fed into the Board of decision making?

o   Officers were happy to report back to all Area Committees of the Council;

·         Were there any challenges at present or gaps within particular services of the Council?

o   Government had realised CSE was a serious major issue hence the services available towards tackling CSE were good as ever; and,

·         Was any work being undertaken in eastern European Communities involving modern day child slavery?

o   The Council had Strategic Engagement Officers to liaise with challenging new communities.

During the ending of the discussion, the Committee highlighted the fact that it would be useful if training was offered in community centres which were dominantly used by Asian women in Bradford and may be the thought of having CSE Champions within communities was an idea that could be thought about by the Council.

Resolved –

(1)       That the contents of Document “Z” be noted.

(2)       That all officers involved in tackling Child Sexual Exploitation be           thanked for their commitments.

(3)       That an update report be presented to the Bradford West Area   Committee in 12 months time.

(4)       That the Bradford West Area Committee expresses deep concern         that the role of the Safeguarding Board is being made non          statutory by the Government.

(5)       That the Bradford West Area Committee requests that the Leader         of Council and the Bradford West MP write to the Department for          Education expressing this Committee’s concerns and that the       department reconsiders its decision and places the Safeguarding             Boards back on a statutory footing.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Children’s Services

ACTION: Strategic Director – Children’s Services