Dorset Police urged to improve how at-risk children are kept safe
Inspectors have highlighted concerns of "inconsistent practices"
Last updated 26th Aug 2021
Dorset Police has been told to improve the way it keeps the most vulnerable children safe.
A watchdog has highlighted cases of inconsistent practices and decision making.
Inspectors examined 83 cases where Dorset Police had identified children at risk.
The way 28 of the cases were handled was deemed inadequate, a further 35 required improvement and 20 were rated as good.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services made several recommendations, including that Dorset Police should immediately:
- Improve its management of registered sex offenders, including how it monitors offenders through home visits.
- Review its missing persons arrangements to ensure there is always an effective response to missing children.
- Review its child protection and exploitation investigations, including improving the way cases are risk assessed and recorded.
Wendy Williams, Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary said: "Dorset Police’s leaders are clearly committed to prioritising and improving child protection, and we found evidence of good work by dedicated frontline officers.
"In particular, the force is good at working with other organisations – such as schools and social care services – to keep children safe.
"But there is more work to do to provide better outcomes for vulnerable children in Dorset, including improving how the force responds to reports of missing children, investigates online sexual exploitation, manages registered sex offenders, and treats children detained in custody.
"We are optimistic that Dorset Police can turn its commitment into tangible improvements for children"
"We have made several recommendations that, if acted on, should lead to better results for children, and we will revisit the force within six months to review its progress."
Dorset Police Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: "We welcome the report and are pleased with the good practices highlighted.
"Dorset Police has worked hard with partners to ensure investigations and processes are in place to protect children and young people in all of our communities.
"Collaboration is required to do this effectively and we have built and commit to develop strong relationships with safeguarding partners.
"We also welcome the recommendations for improvements, of which we will fully take on board and are already putting strategies and training in place to ensure progress is made.
"I take very seriously any recommendations to further protect vulnerable children and have immediately put in place measures to address these recommendations."