St Helens Borough Council statement: Work to support victims of child sexual exploitation

Article date: January 9th 2025

In 2019 St Helens Borough Council was informed by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) that we, alongside Merseyside Police, had been chosen to be one of 6 Local Authority case studies as part of the Alexis Jay inquiry into exploitation by organised gangs.

We fully cooperated with the review which focussed on the assessment of cases between 2016 to 2019. The review findings were published in 2022, and although there were a number of practice issues identified as part of the review findings, there was no evidence of widespread issues with grooming gangs in the borough.

To ensure an accurate picture of the situation in respect of child sexual exploitation in the borough, the Council commissioned an independent review of its practices around child sexual abuse and exploitation in 2021. That led to an action plan. All actions as a result were addressed and the action plan was closed in 2023 as completed.

In July 2023 Ofsted rated St Helens Borough Council's Children's Services as Good following on from an Inadequate rating in 2019 and inspectors highlighted that the new senior leadership team in place in 2022 had led to significant improvements. Inspectors said: "Since then, there has been a determination to improve at pace, and a renewed focus and impetus which has led to significant improvements in all areas. Children and young people in St Helens now benefit from much better help, support and care.

In relation to child sexual exploitation specifically, the Ofsted inspection reported that "Children at risk of exploitation are identified and responded to effectively. Daily complex safeguarding meetings consider children who go missing or who are at risk of exploitation. Plans are regularly reviewed at multi-agency child exploitation meetings to protect children and reduce risk. Specialist workers in the complex safeguarding team undertake creative direct work with children and support partners to help reduce risk."

In a follow up focused visit by Ofsted in April 2024 also recognised further improvements since the inspectors last visit: "Since the last ILACS inspection in July 2023, when services were judged to be good overall, the senior leadership team, supported by the lead member and the wider council, has continued to develop and improve outcomes for the children and families of St Helens. The areas highlighted for improvement at the inspection have been advanced by senior leaders and consistent development is being made in a timely way that supports improvements in outcomes for children.

Again, in relation to child sexual exploitation specifically, the Ofsted inspection reported that "Professionals working with the child and their family, through child protection core groups and child in need meetings, ensure that multi-agency children's plans are reviewed and progressed. Issues such as escalating risk for children and drift and delay are highlighted and addressed at the earliest opportunity and appropriate action taken. This supports effective decision-making and planning for children."

Our work as a council through our recent self-assessment also recognises the partnership working continuing to protect children at risk across the borough through a dedicated Complex Safeguarding team who, alongside partners are intervening and diverting children from harm by identifying hotspots and themes of exploitation. There is also continual oversight through the multi-agency safeguarding committee.

Together with police partners there have been successful prosecutions against those exploiting children.

St Helens Borough Council Leader Councillor Anthony Burns said: "Child sexual abuse is abhorrent and has no place in our society. One child affected by this kind of abuse is one too many and first and foremost I must say that in all the work we do, our focus is on supporting children and young people to not become victim to this heinous crime and providing support and protection to those affected by such incidents.

"We have made it our number one priority as a council to make sure that children in our borough have the best start in life, and that includes making sure they are kept safe from harm.

"We all have a role to play in keeping children safe and these cases are often complex and require us all to report any concerns to the relevant authorities. Our council and our partners are determined to continue to find ways to stop children being targeted by these vile criminals."

If a child is in immediate risk please contact 999, you can also report any concerns to 01744 676767 or 0345 050 0148 after 5pm or at weekends. You can find out more about raising concerns on our website: Concerned about a child's safety or welfare? - St Helens Borough Council