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SCD5 Child Abuse Investigation Command DI Sue Inwood. The past, the present and beyond Why we do the CRAM and the QA Process. Child Abuse Investigation Command – SCD5 History & Background. SCD5 mission to make children safer in London Established post Victoria Climbie 2000
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SCD5 Child Abuse Investigation Command DI Sue Inwood The past, the present and beyond Why we do the CRAM and the QA Process
Child Abuse Investigation Command – SCD5 History & Background • SCD5 mission to make children safer in London • Established post Victoria Climbie 2000 • Largest dedicated police child abuse/protection command in world @ 450 detectives/200 police staff • Serves Pan London 32 LSCB’s (some wider remit) • Modernisation program post Baby Peter, 2008-10
SCD5 Issues/Challenges/Role • Multi-agency working • Complex arena child abuse investigation • Child Protection/Safeguarding issues • Very High Organisational Risk • Critical decisions at low levels • High profile criminal justice cases • Intense media interest • Political issues
Police Areas for Improvement – AFI’s • Recording - data standards – IT systems • Information exchange (updating & challenging) • Supervision (quality, consistency, timeliness) • Identifying critical risk in high volume (how?) • Risk assessment (control measures) • Focus on high risk • Escalation and challenge • Resilience/capacity/skills/training
“RISK” • "Once risk has been assessed, the more substantial task is to manage it, to think of how to intervene to reduce it" Munroe, E Effective Child Protection 2008 • "The absence of a clear focus on the source of risk to children is important because in such situations child protection registration or any form of supervision is unlikely to be effective." Humphreys & Stanley, DV & CP, Directions for Good Practice.
Reducing risk & repeat victims No of Repeat Victims Initial Crime Reports 0.08% were repeat victims 5 times or more (in 12months) 1.34% were repeat victims 3 times or more (in 12months) 9.17% were repeat victims
CHILD RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX (CRAM) • A comprehensive process underpinning key activities supporting core Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) responsibilities. • Based upon proactive use of intelligence to identify risk and support decisions. • The CRAM applies to the 3 core CAIT activity areas: Referrals - Investigation - Protection.
CHILD RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX (CRAM) • Using intelligence research to support decision making rationale; • Completing & updating risk assessments with case specific control measures that are regularly reviewed by a supervisor; • Focus on identifying repeat victims of crime and those at critical risk within high volume referrals; • The timely exchange of information with relevant partners; • The use of consistent & authoritative supervision to support case officers
CRAM- 6 core elements • Intelligence • Risk factors • Risk assessment • Supervision • Recording • Communication
SCD5 Risk Principles • Risk Factors can be grouped • Number of factors present can compound risk • Repeat victimisation leads to higher risk • Recognise critical risk in high volume • Simple recording system to assist recognition of risk • Dialogue with others to enhance assessment. • Control Measures R.A.R.A Reduce/Avoid/Remove/Accept - Risk • Appropriate (early) intervention in cases of chronic abuse/neglect to protect
Control Measures (RARA) RReduce risk A Avoid risk R Remove risk A Accept risk Risk assessment is an ongoing process Measures must be SMART Record Rationale.
Tracey Connelly • History of Drug/Alcohol abuse • In & out of care • Socially inadequate • Special Needs Education • Previous victim of abuse • Met ex-husband at 15yrs
Stephen Barker • Semi-literate • Allegedly abused as a child • Mental Health issues • Special Needs Education • Animal Cruelty • Relationship issues
Jason Owen • Previous convictions • Drug abuse • Troubled youth • Suspected Paedophile • Name changes • 15 year old girlfriend
Risk Factors: (Victim, Suspect, Household) • A structure for intelligence research for the 3 CAIT activity areas: Referral, Investigation and Protection. • Based on learning from SCR’s, MARAC, Intel Analysis, SUDI’s etc • Risk Assessment reviewed/updated on new & current Information
Quality Assurance Process • Set terms of reference • Remote data monitoring • Site visit and structured interviews with staff • Report of visit compiled • Passed to SMT lead and CAIT DI • Action plan set and agreed, reviewed after 3 months • Partnership team visits • Bi-monthly DI meetings