Child Protection must be improved, says PCC

• His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services carried out a National Child Protection Inspection at Gloucestershire Police Headquarters from December 2-13, 2024
• The Constabulary was found to be ‘adequate’ in one area, ‘requiring improvement’ in another and ‘inadequate’ in three others
• HM Inspector Michelle Steer said, “The Constabulary needs to improve how it manages, supervises and carries out investigations when children are abused, neglected or exploited”
• Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire Chris Nelson said, “I am aware that many changes have already been made in the months since the inspection was carried-out, but serious concerns remain and there is still much to be done”.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has published her findings following the latest review of how Gloucestershire Police safeguards vulnerable children.   

The HMICFRS’ National Child Protection inspection was carried-out from December 2-13, 2024 and Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Chris Nelson says that the report must drive improvements.

The report highlights three causes of concern regarding the Constabulary’s performance in safeguarding children at risk relating to:

• the constabulary’s leadership of child protection
• how the constabulary records incidents when children are missing, and
• how the constabulary investigates incidents involving children.

Michelle Skeer, HM Inspector of Constabulary noted, “The Constabulary needs to improve how it manages, supervises and carries out investigations when children are abused, neglected or exploited.

“Leaders aren’t clear as to how the constabulary is improving its performance on child protection. Nor are they clear on their strategic work on improving outcomes for children”.

HMICFRS independently assesses the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire and rescue services, to make communities safer. It uses its expertise to interpret evidence and make recommendations for improvement.

Inspections like this one are intended to provide information for the police, police and crime commissioners and the public. Each inspection focuses on the experiences of children who come into contact with the police when there are concerns about their safety or well-being.

PCC Chris Nelson said, “There can be no getting away from it that the overall picture painted by this report is a damning one and will be soul-destroying for the many dedicated and talented officers who work in this field.

“I am aware that many changes have already been made, in the months since the inspection was carried-out. That is a relief, but begs the question about why those changes have taken so long to be introduced. Serious concerns remain and I have already made my feelings known about senior leadership and resourcing in the strongest possible way.   

 “What the Constabulary needs to create is a genuinely child centred approach that is more aware of the risk factors that can lead to vulnerability.  I will also work as hard as I can to get extra resources and detectives into the force, as there is never enough officers and staff to deal with ever expanding workloads and rising professional standards. We also need to work ever closer with the County Council, to ensure that we make the best use of our combined, but limited, child protection resources.

“Most children grow up in loving, caring families and reach adulthood unharmed, but some don’t. They become victims to people who coerce them into crime or exploit them for sexual gratification. Public services, including the police, have a shared responsibility to look for the warning signs, be alert to the risks and act quickly to protect our young people.

“It is very concerning that the Constabulary has been aware of concerns for some time but has been too slow in addressing them. It needs to improve how it manages, supervises and carries out investigations when children are abused, neglected or exploited.

“The report states that officers and staff don’t always take a child-centred approach when investigating incidents involving children. Inspectors found delays in starting investigations and enquiries often not pursued, which is alarming. However, I have received assurances from the Temporary Chief Constable that senior leaders are taking the findings very seriously, and are determined to oversee improvements.

“And I am confident that the Temporary Chief Constable and her new Deputy, have the necessary national experience in dealing with child protection to get to grips with the problems the force is facing”.

“To that end, I have demanded a report in three months to set out detailed progress against the HMICFRS recommendations.”