Issue - items at meetings - Child Sexual Exploitation

Written report from the Head of Safeguarding (copy attached).

36.1    The Forum considered a report from Deb Austin, Head of Safeguarding, in relation to Child Sexual Exploitation. By way of introduced information was provided on recent work; local multi-agency working and raising public awareness.

36.2    Councillor Daniel asked a series of questions and the following responses were provided:

·         In relation to emotional support there had been a meeting with key partners; whilst there was good provision available further work was needed around the pathways to join this up.

·         Engagement with communities took place through third sector partners.

·         There was a pan-Sussex approach in relation to CSE; whilst the authority did place young people out of area there were specialist social workers and information sharing was key.

·         Nev Kemp explained that work had progressed very quickly, and the Police were much better equipped to deal with this as it had now become one of their main priorities.

36.3    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty it was explained that the authority had a robust whistleblowing policy already established, and incidents were taken very seriously. In response to further queries it was explained that work had taken place in schools to raise awareness through a play named ‘Chelsea’s Choice’ for year 8 pupils – the play had been taken up nearly all secondary schools in the city. There was also teaching through PHSE lessons; literature distributed in schools and contacts in the MASH.

36.4    In response to queries from reps on the Forum the following responses were given:

·         There had been positive feedback from the play in other authorities and this had helped to lead to a number of young people making disclosures.

·         There were a number of young people identified as ‘high-risk’, the majority were girls and young women.

36.5    In response to Councillor Simson it was explained that in terms of identifying those potentially at risk the authority was considered to be ahead of others; there were currently 14 young people, but this number could fluctuate and there was evidence that the majority of those at risk engaged with services. Some of the challenges related to self-perception as many young people did not see themselves as victims of abuse. It was clarified that those at risk were more commonly around the 15-16 age group; work would be undertaken with the whole family and there were measures in place to monitor if they were missing from education.

36.7    In response to Councillor Wakefield it was acknowledged that there was a potential gap in reaching children of junior school age, and Officers could give this area further consideration.

36.8    RESOLVED: That the Forum note the report.