Agenda item

Lesley Hagger, Director of Children’s Services, Northamptonshire County Council, and Inspector Rich Tompkins, RISE Team, Northants Police, addressed the Scrutiny Panel; advising that Kayleigh’s Love Story is now being shown nationally. Kayleigh had lived in Leicestershire.

People that work with young people and children are being liaised with regarding using the Internet safely so that they are more knowledgeable and have a better understanding.   

The assumption is that children are groomed over a long period but Kayleigh was groomed over a short period of a few weeks and thousands of text messages were sent prior to the event that led to her murder.   There is a need to ascertain how we can become a vigilant community.

Lesley Hagger highlighted that there is a strong partnership within Northamptonshire with good team working.  Materials such as training and toolkits are available.  It is important that there is good communication on how to keep children safe.

The Scrutiny Panel asked questions, made comment and heard:

·         In response to a comment that it is important for all schools, including academies, to receive the training; Lesley Hagger advised that she has no authority to instruct them to train/show videos but can advise.  Good planning is needed and pupils need to be prepared prior to watching the video.  Conversations take place both before and after the video showing.  Lesley Hagger encouraged Panel Members, if they have the opportunity, to encourage academies to show the video.  It is a short 5½ minute film.

·         Rich Tompkins advised that Chelsea’s Choice was shown to the majority of schools last year; a couple could not facilitate it.  Officers from the RISE Team will go into schools when the films are shown.

·         The Scrutiny Panel heard that following the showings of Chelsea’s Choice, a lot of disclosures came out.  This led to the unravelling of a paedophile network. Young people are able to identify to the characters in the film.

·         The Scrutiny Panel acknowledged that schools have a captive audience.

·         The Scrutiny Panel suggested that there needs to be education on healthy relationships and sex education within schools.   Peer education is a powerful tool; it would be useful for peer mentors to get the messages across.

·         In response to a query regarding protection for children who are home taught or taught in the mosques within the town; Lesley Hagger assured the Panel that access to such groups is required and the primary duty is to protect.

·         All teachers undergo safeguarding training

·         Rich Tompkins advised that two thirds of all child abuse is committed in the home; a lot of CSE is reported by parents.

·         The Panel was reminded that it had already been provided (at an earlier meeting) with the national definition of CSE

·         The Panel raised concerns regarding incoming children and asylum seeking children that some had gone missing. The numbers of missing children are quite low.

·         There are a number of brothels in Northampton, intelligence is being gathered and the Safeguarding Team are involved.  In response to a question, the Panel heard that should there be children in brothels, they can (and have been) be closed down.

·         The Panel heard that boys make up 10% of children who have been sexually abused.  Blast, a charity, looks at boys and CSE.

·         It is not just men who sexually exploit children. An example was given of a young boy who had been sexually exploited by a woman in her 30s.

·         Lesley Hagger emphasised the important role of the Borough Council, as the Licensing Authority, which is crucial in terms of CSE.

·         The Panel conveyed concern regarding exploitation on the Internet and will look at a potential recommendation around this, based on evidence provided by expert advisors.

Lesley Hagger and Rich Tompkins were thanked for attending the meeting.

AGREED:      That the information provided informs the evidence base of this Scrutiny Review.