Alex Walters-Independent Overview Author

1. Alex Walters-Independent Overview Author • Welcome opportunity to share learning • Recognition of the significant harm experienced by children who were victims of adults who abused their positions of trust and our thanks to those who responded to the public appeal • Purpose of any Serious Case Review- to focus on learning and improvement-not blame

2. Voices heard by the Serious Case Review • Victim- their desired outcome “I want to make sure things change” • Perpetrators- described by victims as important and respected and they felt no one would listen • Victims and practitioners wanted recognition that children’s behaviour ie absconding/challenging seen by professionals as troublesome not troubled and no one asks the question –why?

3. National context • National spotlight and media interest remains high on SCRs- ie, Rotherham, Bristol, Baby P, Daniel Pelka, Poppi Worthington • WT 13/15-New systems methodologies introduced to undertake SCRs more flexibly • National SCR Panel of Experts established- July 13 and 3 Annual reports published • New Children and Social Work Bill will differentiate national SCRs and local case reviews but no criteria • Triennial Review of SCRs 2011-14 by UEA/Warwickshire published 2016

4. Learning from Triennial Review of SCRs-2011-14 • Because of, and in spite of, their challenging behaviours, vulnerable youngpeople must feel that someone is ‘there for them’ and that they are heard • Young people with damaging early histories coupled with the impact of theseexperiences on their self-esteem have little reason to trust those in authority and may present challenging and disruptive behaviours

5. Key SCR national and local messages • Failure to revise judgements in light of new information • Rule of Optimism • Lack of Professional Curiosity • Lack of Professional Challenge within and between agencies- escalation and whistle blowing.

6. WEST BERKS -SCR PROCESS • Highly complex SCR given breadth of organisations involved and not focused on a family • Learning identified for all organisations involved • SCR Panel established to provide oversight • 6 Individual Management Reviews (IMRs) and 8 Information and Analysis Reports (IARs) plus chronologies provided and discussed together • Public Appeal and discussion with victims and practitioners

7. KEY LEARNING • Key learning identified in this SCR for all involved: • A) Organisations/institutions • B) Statutory agencies who respond to allegations • C) National learning

8. KEY LEARNING-A-Safe organisational cultures Evidence is required of: • Escalation, challenge and whistle blowing procedures and their use and outcome • Safe recruitment practice irrespective of role and status • Safeguarding training undertaken of key roles and refreshed and monitored

9. SAFE ORGANISAL CULTURE • Responding to low level concerns about staff to enable a full picture to emerge • Responding to concerns involving senior staff/positions of trust must be undertaken –”the myth of a pillar of the community cannot be an abuser must be tackled-CEOP 2013” • Ensuring all disciplinary processes conclude irrespective of status or if left organisation.

10. KEY LEARNING-education settings • Need for independence in governance arrangements in schools particularly Academies as less LA oversight • Role of school governors to provide independent scrutiny and challenge and to evidence this through S.11 assessment.

11. B-STATUTORY PARTNERS • Function of the LADO –role of oversight and management of allegations and capacity to follow up internal organisational processes and escalate. • Criminal Justice agencies- focus on victims in child sexual abuse allegations and make use of public appeals • Adult services -need to appropriately respond to historical allegations of sexual abuse .

12. C- NATIONAL LEARNINNG • National learning on omissions of positions in the Sexual Offences 2003 legislation ie non LA youth workers • Clarity required on the national responsibility for the Quality Assurance and oversight role for safeguarding within Academies

13. KEY MESSAGES • Listen to children- ensure that you have robust systems to facilitate this including access to independent people which is transparent and publicised. • Retain and practice professional curiosity –ask more questions/follow up and escalate.

14. SCR Recommendations:LSCB • Relaunch programme of safer recruitment and safe organisational culture training/awareness • Review the Section 11/Section 175 audit tool to include evidence ie outcomes of disciplinary processes • Continue to review the pan Berks escalation policy • Audit all existing whistle blowing policies and their use.

15. SCR Recommendations-LSCB • Consider how to raise awareness of need for vigilance and professional curiosity • Recommend to all organisations that disciplinary procedures conclude irrespective of the status of the employee or if they have left.

16. SCR Recommendations- Faith sector • Further active engagement in the LSCB work and proportionate S.11 processes. • Activities undertaken by Church/youth work settings adhere to same safeguarding policies and procedures and recognise inherent risk • Request Diocese of Oxford share their learning with wider faith sector and LSCBs.

17. SCR Recommendations- Education settings • School governors, especially safeguarding leads engage in training and understand roles and responsibilities including S.11. • Schools involved in this SCR act as champions and share learning with wider school community • All schools to consider how to provide children with access to a trusted independent person which is clearly publicised.

18. SCR recommendations-Local Authority • Review the statutory LADO function and the capacity to undertake its strategic oversight function • The Local Authority to re-instate the Designated Leads Forum for safeguarding leads in schools.

19. SCR Recommendations-Criminal Justice agencies • All agencies to recognise the impact of proceedings on child victims and their welfare paramount • Investigations of historical sexual abuse to consider potential other victims and ensure use of public appeals • LSCB to monitor impact of delays in review of indecent images on partner agencies ability to conclude HR processes.

20. SCR Recommendations-National • Highlight omissions from Sexual Offences legislation • Request DfE, Regional Schools Commissioners and the Education Funding Agency review the effectiveness of current arrangements for the national governance and accountability of safeguarding within academies.

21. KEY Messages for today • Thanks and recognition for the work you do every day to protect children and young people • Reflect on the presentations/workshops and how the learning will impact on your practice • Enjoy the day- provides the chance to network with colleagues and space to reflect .

22. Final thought • How can you ensure that you personally and we collectively achieve the outcome of the victim who said he wanted “things to change” for children. • Any questions/ comments??