Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, People

The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Executive Director of People which indicated that Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a complex issue that requires through understanding of the impact on victims, how patterns of behaviour start and by whom it is perpetrated. There has been extensive national coverage of this issue with associated guidance and recommendations as a result of a number of enquiries and reviews in key areas of the country. Coventry agencies have come together and committed significant time and resources reflecting on this national learning and the findings and recommendations from such have been used to inform the development of a local delivery plan, which was appended to the report submitted, to address this issue.

The report indicated that the delivery plan is supported by clear strategic objectives and has been informed by facts and findings contained within a CSE problem profile produced by West Midlands Police.

A key aspect of the delivery plan is to not only ensure that a safe, responsive and effective service is provided to all children and young people who experience CSE, but to proactively identify children and young people that could be vulnerable to this and other types of harmful behaviour so that interventions that negate or minimise risk can be provided.

The delivery plan facilitates the coordinated activity and resources of multi-agencies working together in Coventry to prevent risk of harm to children and young people through targeted action against perpetrators and in locations across the City where this issue could take place. A significant area of work within the delivery plan is to enhance public awareness of CSE, in particular with parents and carers and to ensure that young people are made aware of the issues around exploitation and that preventative services are in place.

The Cabinet Member questioned officers extensively about issues contained in the report and the delivery plan, particularly in relation to:-

  ?Governance arrangements in relation to the delivery of the plan and

 the role of the Local Children’s Safeguarding Board

?Current data available in relation to CSE problem profile and the

 perpetrator profile in the City

?Work being undertaken by the newly established CSE team, including

 the development of a “screening tool” and the application of that tool by a range of agencies

?Planned awareness raising and training across the City Council and other agencies, together with details of City Council employees and Councillors who have received Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and CSE training

RESOLVED that the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:-

  (1)  Notes the content and approach by officers set out within

 the delivery plan attached as Appendix 1 (this plan still

 being in draft form as it is a “living document”) and

 requires the following actions:-   

(i)  That a letter be sent to school governing bodies drawing to their attention the use of the “screening tool” and that all primary and secondary Heads receive an update on this issue by September, 2015

(ii)  That the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet Member be provided with all of the data now requested in relation to CSE in the City, together with information regarding staff and Councillors’ DBS checks and CSE training 

(iii)  That the delivery plan include a recommendation that all hackney carriage and private hire drivers are required to have DBS checks and CSE training as part of the conditions of their licences 

(2)  Refers the delivery plan to Scrutiny for progress monitoring and updates

(3)  Receives an update on the delivery plan at the first Cabinet Member meeting in the new Municipal Year.