To receive a presentation on the role of the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Co-ordinator.
Minutes:
The new Child Sexual Exploitation Co-ordinator introduced herself to the Sub-Committee and explained that she had been working in the Tri-Borough before coming to Havering. The Sub-Committee was informed that the main functions of the CSE Co-ordinator were to maintain an overview of all cases open to social care where CSE an missing were a concern; provide consultation and advice for cases where CSE and missing was a concern; provide Quality assured decision making; maintain an operational overview of multi-agency partnership working and identify any gaps.
The CSE Co-ordinator would also be the Chairperson for the Operational CSE and Missing Panel.
The Sub-Committee was informed that there was prevalence across the borough with 34% of online CSE and 24% of boyfriend CSE. This linked in the gangs in the borough and would be a key focus for the CSE Co-ordinator. Common data sets would be established between the Police and social care and systems for recording, tracking and interventions with missing children would be reviewed.
It was noted that online CSE can change on an hourly basis and so it was essential that the service identified any possible perpetrators so that interventions could be put in place to disrupt that perpetrator and reduce the harm to the victim.
The Sub-Committee noted that all staff in Havering working with young people need to recognised CSE. Information on what action to take and where to seek advice would be provided as would how to intervene whilst respecting the roles and responsibilities of others.
The following Quality Assurance forms in the borough would be responsible for responding to CSE:
· Missing Children and CSE Working Group – own and monitor the CSE action plan.
· Havering Safeguarding Children’s Board (HSCB) – Review the progress of the CSE action plan
· Health and Wellbeing Board – Receive updates on the CSE action plan.
Members asked how the relationship with schools would work and the plan they had in place. Officers explained that there was a small budget to ensure that there was a provision of CSE awareness in all schools by March 2017. It was noted that the MACE group had looked at how all sectors of the economy were linking and involved with CSE, including Taxi firms and hotels. Engagement was being made through the “Made Safe” Operation, where the actions of staff within these industries could be used to recognise patterns and intervention made.
Members enquired how the information would be provided to the young people, and whether this would be web-based, as this was where most young people search for information. Officers explained that they hoped to have a link on the website, but intervention in schools were being introduced and the CSE Co-ordinator informed the Sub-Committee that an information stall was held at the recent Havering Show. A “silent secret” app was being developed for the local area which would give young people a point of access.
It was noted that given the profile of Havering, the data was very quickly out of date and so live data needed to be analysed to provide a clearer picture of the current issues. Officers stated that Havering was one of the highest reporting borough, although the quality of reporting was poor.
Officers informed the Sub-Committee that they may need to work with young adults to understand where they go after leaving care and any risks they may be subjected to. It was noted that young children who were victims could then go on to be perpetrators.
The Sub-Committee asked if the same assessments would be carried out for children with learning disabilities. Officers stated that assessments would be carried out and it was not on cognitive function but on consensual activity, so vulnerable adults could be included in this assessment.
The Chairman agreed that a briefing note on CSE and Missing children should be circulated to all members. It was also requested that information on CSE/ Missing be included in the Performance Indicator Information.