Lead Member Role in Tackling CSE

1. Lead Member Role in Tackling CSE Cllr Ralph Berry Lead Member for Children and Young People City of Bradford MDC 8 March 2013 Children’s Services

2. Background • There has been a problem known about for some years, e.g. taxi trade, risk issues in residential homes • Sexual exploitation of vulnerable young people is not new but awareness and preparedness to tackle the full extent of the issue has grown massively over last decade • Multi Agency arrangements began in 2005, including partnership with 3rd Sector Organisations, e.g. Barnardos • Recognition of need for additional expertise and a multi agency approach. • Established under the former ACPC

3. Background continued • Aimed to: - Raise awareness amongst agencies - Ensure a coordinated response - Provide a single point of contact - Establish children in need procedures to provide support for children and families • The issue became politicised in the Keighley area • Victim’s parents found a voice • Nick Griffin [BNP] stood for parliament in Keighley using CSE as an issue • Challenge to existing Politicians to tackle the issue and stand up to BNP without ‘losing the plot’

4. Background continued • Anti fascist activity over simplified the issue and created a risk of denial. • Ann Cryer’s role as local MP supporting victims and identifying the abuse as an issue • New work with victims groups opened the local issues up • Dialogue with faith and Community groups • Challenge to interagency roles and accountability for dealing with Criminal actions

5. More Recent Bradford Developments • 2011 CSB Chair Prof Nick Frost reviews arrangements supported by WYP and using external expertise [Sara Swann MBE] • This concluded: - Oversight is with BCSB - WY Police Officer on BCSB is the ‘CSE Champion’ - BCSB would explore the feasibility of setting up a co located, multi agency CSE - This led to the creation of ‘The Hub’ with full political approval

6. The Bradford ‘Hub’ Established January 2012: • Co located multi agency Service • Based in Javelin House Police Station • WYP 1 Sergeant • 8 Detectives • Analysts and Admin • Turnaround Project [I manager 5 outreach workers] • Children’s Services – 1 Level 3 Social Worker Links to other agencies like: • Hand in HAND [Children’s Society] • Blast/Mesmac [re boys and young men] • CROP [support for parents of children experiencing CSE]

7. Prevention • Work is being undertaken by Council and partners, including Youth Service and Schools settings and with Faith groups and involves targeting known vulnerable groups • Links to other work BCSB is doing with Bradford CFM on a range of safeguarding issues • There is recognition of the need to do more in preventive and early identification work • Be aware of new patterns and threats • Keep up to date with evidence and practice

8. Learning from Practice • Sharing and discussing case reviews and practice issues is a high priority across all agencies • We have to directly and clearly address the issue in all settings and communities in a clear and consistent way. • Links forming with emerging groups in the Community [STAR] project seeking to tackle issues. • At this time the priority is identify and prosecute.

9. Longer term • Need to further develop programmes and strategies to help young people avoid being involved in this criminal activity, and there is a strong argument that this work needs support to enable further good practice to be developed. • The bigger challenges will be post conviction- we need to prepare for this.

10. The Role of the Lead Member • Sleepless nights…… • Challenge and support; be sure arrangements are in place to tackle issue • Need to be direct and up front, driven by facts and evidence • Draw on leadership and engagement skills with all communities • Act as a clear point of reference for 90 elected members • Attendance and participation at LCSB • Close work with DCS • Out front support for front line practitioners; visits, speak with staff and understand the pressures • Readiness to explain service, and to sustain confidence in the service • Be aware of and try to tackle ‘urban myths’ • Defend the funding of key services and argue for inter agency resourcing • Work with DCS to provide advice and guidance to all 90 Councillors • Remind Elected Members they cannot comment on cases during investigation and Trial

11. The Role of the Lead Member continued • Firm advice on not ‘taking sides’ during Social Care investigations • Need to be on occasions very firm and clear • Provide limited briefings as and when needed • Support members in their role as Community leaders but to also take responsibility for the most vulnerable [victims] • Need to be up front in dealing with the Media and work closely with Communications team • To ensure everyone understands the key messages and ensure a clear and consistent message is given, which are:- - Child abuse is an appalling crime no matter who commits it - Child sexual Abuse must be identified and all perpetrators of child sexual Abuse pursued and prosecuted [whoever and wherever] - The vast majority of people from all cultures and faiths are appalled. This is an issue for everyone. It cuts to the heart of all communities - The Welfare of our children is the most important responsibility we have, so we will do whatever we can to protect them