To receive an update on child exploitation and missing children.

The Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Councillor Bye, introduced the report and outlined the increasing challenges associated with children and young people reported missing.  The Head of Service Family Help, Ellie Clark provided an overview of the submitted report. 

Members heard that increased reporting and referral activity had improved visibility of concerns and enabled earlier intervention.  The Sub-Board was advised of ongoing work to identify and prevent exploitation, including strengthening partnership arrangements and bringing return home interviews back in-house.

Members noted concerns regarding under-reporting by parents and the importance of schools identifying and reporting children missing from education.  The Board heard examples of partnership work with transport providers, hotels, businesses and community organisations to raise awareness of exploitation and improve safeguarding arrangements.

Members asked the following questions:

·                Could exploitation awareness training be expanded from taxi drivers to bus and railway staff?

·                Was there a national Government campaign to raise awareness of child exploitation?

·                What proportion of missing children were cared for children or care experienced young people and were out-of-area placements included in the statistics?  (A written response to be provided on the proportion of missing children who were cared for children and care experienced young people.)

·                How does Torbay compare with other local authorities in relation to missing children?  (A written response to be provided containing comparative data with other authorities, including a ward-level breakdown where possible.)

·                Were there emerging patterns of exploitation linked to artificial intelligence?

·                What percentage of missing children were known to have been exploited?

·                How long does a child need to be absent before being reported missing?

·                How many missing children were found within Torbay compared to outside the area?

·                What proportion of missing children have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)?

·                What support exists for young people over the age of 17 who may continue to be vulnerable to exploitation?

The following responses were received:

·                Awareness campaigns have included taxi drivers due to identified risk factors, while previous work has also been undertaken with British Transport Police, railway staff, hotels and other community settings.  Awareness activity was regularly rotated across sectors.

·                A national exploitation awareness day takes place annually in March, primarily aimed at parents, although there may be opportunities for additional local campaigns.

·                Children placed outside Torbay by the Council remain included within Torbay's data and safeguarding arrangements, including use of the Philomena Protocol where appropriate.

·                Officers advised that Torbay was not considered an outlier and experiences were broadly comparable with other authorities in the South West.

·                Work was ongoing with Devon and Cornwall Police, Barnardo's and the Children's Society to understand and respond to emerging online and AI-related risks.

·                Repeat missing episodes were more likely to be linked to exploitation concerns.  Return home conversations and multi-agency safeguarding arrangements were used to identify risks and provide support.

·                There was no statutory timescale for reporting a child missing.  Circumstances and individual risk factors determine when a report should be made and accepted by the police.

·                Most missing children were found within Torbay, although some travel outside the area using transport links such as the rail network.

·                A significant proportion of young people who go missing have EHCPs and this information was captured through safeguarding processes.

·                Care experienced young people can receive support up to age 25.  Transition arrangements involve Children's and Adult Services working together to support vulnerable young people.

Resolved (unanimously):

That the Director of Children's Services be requested to consider a local communications campaign to raise awareness of exploitation in Torbay to help people recognise the signs of exploitation and know how and when to report it.