'One child sexually exploited is one too many - our work does not stop', says Telford & Wrekin Council leader

Telford & Wrekin Council has published its second annual child sexual exploitation (CSE) report since an inquiry revealed decades of abuse had gone 'unchecked' in the borough.

The annual reports - providing data to show the extent of the issue across the borough - were part of the inquiry's recommendations.

The inquiry chair, Tom Crowther KC, has previously praised the way the reports have been carried out, saying they went 'beyond' his recommendations.

He said: "In my view, the stakeholders have taken the recommendation as a foundation and have gone further, creating a framework for data sharing and analysis which is plainly relevant not only to the direction of support and disruption resources, but also to a greater public understanding of the nature and extent of CSE within Telford."

Since the report was published a host of work has taken place to implement the recommendations, while CSE survivors - including Scarlett Jones and Joanne Phillips, have worked with the authorities to test, examine, and challenge the response.

Earlier this year, amid calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, the Government highlighted Telford's inquiry route as a method for other areas of the country to follow, and called upon Mr Crowther to help support them.

The latest annual report shows that CSE concerns were raised over 94 youngsters in the borough during 2023/24, with six confirmed CSE cases and 28 children deemed at risk of being victims of CSE.

The council said the work that has taken place since the inquiry report means cases are being spotted, and acted upon earlier.

The council's leader Lee Carter said regardless of progress 'one child being sexually exploited is still one child too many,' adding 'our work does not stop'.

All three survivors who are working with the council as 'lived experience consultees' have hailed the efforts taking place to tackle the issue, and pointed to the report as a commitment to ensuring children are not exploited.

Anonymous online referral form for people to report child sexual exploitation concerns

Measures have included the creation of an anonymous online referral form for people to report concerns, while sessions now take place where workers from different agencies can drop in for discussions with the Children Abused through Exploitation (CATE) team about concerns they have over cases or issues in the borough.

Ms Jones said the report indicates that the signs of CSE are being spotted earlier, giving agencies greater chance to prevent abuse taking place.

She added that earlier intervention provided a chance to help children when they are more receptive to support and help, and praised the efforts of licensing staff in the work they have carried out to provide a deterrent.

'We will always do as much as we can to tackle this horrific crime'

Councillor Carter said: "Our sole promise to residents is that we will always do as much as we can to tackle this horrific crime. Our approach is now monitored and reported annually so that everyone can understand the extent of the issue and it can allow us to invest to help tackle the issue but also have tough conversations with others about what else they need to do to help tackle the issue too.

“Our latest report confirms that, as a result of the activity that has taken place, professionals across our borough now have much greater awareness of the very early signs that indicate a child or young person may be at risk of CSE and know what action to take.

“This has led to better information sharing, at an earlier stage, and a greater quality of information being shared, which means support and resources can be targeted, whether that be through the school, police, council teams and health professionals or a combination of some or all of them.

“We are one of the only councils in the country to fund a Children Abused Through Exploitation (CATE) specialist team meaning that we are able to refer anyone at risk sooner to try to reduce that risk quicker. The exceptional support offered by our CATE team was also recognised by OFSTED as a key strength in their July 2024 report, which found our Children’s Services to be ‘outstanding’.

“However, one child being sexually exploited is still one child too many, and our work does not stop – there are a wide number of people who are working to tackle this issue on a daily basis and they are doing so much important work each day to ensure our young people are safe and I thank them for their ongoing commitment.

“We will also be working proactively with the Government to ensure that others also take this robust approach. We are the only council in the country to produce this kind of report annually and it is reassuring that the Government wants the same kind of approach from others too.”

Ms Phillips added: “We welcome this second annual report, which demonstrates Telford & Wrekin Council’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that children and young people are safe and free from exploitation.” 

Ms Jones said she hoped other councils would follow the same model.

She said: “The report recognises the importance of involving people with lived experience and we are pleased to be able to play a key part in making effective change for the benefit of children and young people in Telford and Wrekin. We hope other councils follow the example set here.”