CL presented the report to raise awareness of the Jay Report in to Child Sexual Exploitation and to provide the Board with assurance about Thurrock’s preparedness.  The Jay Report outlined failures of agencies to uncover and deal with child sexual exploitation.

CL stated that every area should assume that child sexual exploitation is occurring and needed to ensure that vulnerable children were identified.  In Thurrock, risk assessments were carried out on every vulnerable child.

CL provided an update on what has been done locally and stated that an action plan had been developed which responded to recommendations made by the Jay Report  The Action Plan will go back to the Childrens Overview and Scrutiny in February and be subject to regular review.

JR applauded the work done by the Children’s Social Care.

BR asked whether the workforce was fit for purpose. 
CL commented that all social workers have compulsory training around Child Sexual Exploitation And that there is also ongoing work such as training for head teachers, directors and heads of services.

CL concluded that some of the ongoing work of the LSCB Board and Childrens Partnership is to ensure that partners agencies challenge each other to ensure we continue to work collectively to protect vulnerable young children.

MA asked CL what was being done to address the growth of female gangs locally. CL stated that the issue was being reported on to the Children’s Partnership Board and also Community Safety Partnership and that joint working with housing was also in place.

BB said that Housing has set up an Anti Social Behaviour Team and that the team works closely with Children’s Social Care. The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) also provides a strong model for improvement.  BB added that we are in a better place to deal with the issue than before.

KSS informed the Board that work has been carried out with the police and the pharmacies at least 50 pharmacists were offered awareness training as they are usually the first point of contact by the victims or the perpetrator who may go to the pharmacy.  KSS said that she would be happy to get involved in this work.

OT explained that due to the demographic changes to the area, gang members in London are being  placed in Thurrock and this is the reason for the increase in gang activity in this area. OT questioned how do we reach the hard to reach groups and those that may fall through the system as this needed to be addressed.  

CL explained that there is a missing children panel that work with school to review children that not only go missing but who also miss school. Due to training and sharing of information through partners, schools are more alert and provide an assessment to monitor pupils by undertaking registrations after each school subject.

CL stated that young people were very aware of who of their peers were vulnerable or at risk that we must use as a powerful ally.

CL spoke about meeting with a group of survivors of exploitation – who are now able to run workshops on how to be a survivor of Sexual Abuse. CL concluded that this was the best experience seeing the group supporting others, going through this trauma.