Bradford safeguarding bosses say staff investment is needed to help tackle child sexual exploitation
It comes after a review was published yesterday about sexual exploitation in the district
Bradford safeguarding bosses say they need to tackle staff shortages and turnover in order to help clampdown on child sexual exploitation.
It comes after a review was published yesterday which showed there were several missed opportunities to protect children in the area.
The report, written by Clare Hyde of foundation for families shared the experiences of 5 young people, who were exploited over a period of 17 years.
"In Bradford the impact of staff shortages and turn over has been very significant."
It was commissioned after the sentencing of nine men in 2019 for a total of 132 years' and 8 months' imprisonment following the abuse of a child who had been in the care of Bradford Council.
It stated that while there had been "considerable work" done in relation to child sexual exploitation, there were still "lessons that need to be learned".
Jane Booth the independent chair of the Bradford Safeguarding Partnership said:
"Despite the fact that we've got better systems in place, it's the investment in staff to put them in a position to do good work that is really important. In Bradford the impact of staff shortages and turn over has been very significant.
"We need staff who are going to stay, who can access appropriate training, who get appropriate support, so they can deliver a good service with these young people and form trusting relationships with young people."
She said around 300 young people are at risk of or are being sexually exploited in Bradford, but that no one can put an exact number on it.
Since 2019, a new management team has been put in place in Children’s Services. This team has prioritised the improvement of the service, it is acknowledged that the improvement journey still has a way to go. The recommendations that the thematic review outlines form part of this improvement and action on all of them has already begun.
A statement from the Bradford Partnership said:
“We want to apologise to the young people identified in this report and any others where the actions of agencies in Bradford has failed to protect them from child sexual exploitation (CSE).
“CSE is a horrendous crime that blights the lives of those who have suffered this form of abuse. It is a national issue and, like many places up and down the country, Bradford District has seen a series of cases that have gone back over the last two decades. This crime must not be tolerated. All the partners in our district are committed to protecting our children and to working with the police to bring perpetrators of this crime to justice.
“The Bradford Partnership have made significant changes to their response and handling of CSE over the past decade putting in place specialist teams and additional resource to this area. As a result of the work in this area there have been a number of successful outcomes at court where a large number of defendants were found guilty and sentenced to substantial prison sentences. This work will continue for as long as it is necessary and we will support anyone who comes forward with information or who has been the victim of abuse."
If you suspect a child is being abused, call Bradford Council’s Contact Point on 01274 435600 in confidence and speak to a trained advisor or email childrens.enquiries@bradford.gov.uk
If you are worried about a child's immediate safety, contact the police by calling 999.