“Children left at risk of abuse after failures in safeguarding”, The Guardian
Michael Savage, London, Sun 2 Feb 2020
Offences within families continued unchecked, says damning report on child protection
Vulnerable children are being left at risk of sexual abuse from within their family by the failings of state agencies tasked with keeping them safe, according to a damning report into child protection.
It warns that shortcomings in police investigations, management of offenders and treatment of children showing worrying behaviour are allowing some perpetrators to continue their abuse unchecked.
Failures to fully investigate abuse for as long as a year left some children at risk, while there were also cases in which key agencies were unsure of where a recently released offender was living.
Investigators also raised concerns that contact between an offender and an abused child was sometimes in the hands of vulnerable women. In some cases, the women themselves had been the victims of bullying and coercive behaviour.
The alarming findings are contained in a major report by some of the country’s leading inspectorates, to be published this week. It examined how well the children’s social care, health, youth offending, police and probation services were working together to protect children abused by people in their family circle. Leading figures last night described the findings as a wake-up call.
Amanda Spielman, Ofsted’s chief inspector, said: “It’s unacceptable for children to be left at risk by the very agencies supposed to protect them. Too often, children abused at their family home are repeatedly victimised, while perpetrators are allowed back on the streets unchecked.
“It’s disappointing that we’re still seeing agencies working in silos, and professionals lacking the confidence to challenge decisions that aren’t in children’s best interests. There is a striking lack of grip – nationally and locally – on this endemic problem. This has to change.”
The report was drawn up by Ofsted, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, the Care Quality Commission and HM Inspectorate of Probation. It examined the protection of children from sexual abuse within the family in six local authority areas: Bracknell Forest, Cornwall, Derby City, Islington, Shropshire and York.
While inspectors found “pockets of good work”, the study also uncovered “deep concerns” about how some cases were being treated. Failings include lengthy delays of up to a year in arresting or questioning suspects, and in the forensic examination of digital equipment.