Reports find signs of child sexual abuse missed

Two reports from the same county have concluded that signs children were being sexually abused were missed.

One of the cases in Northamptonshire eventually resulted in a conviction for rape.

The report found risks posed to children in a known offender's extended family were not considered.

North Northamptonshire Council has said it recognised that "collectively, there were failings on a number of fronts".

The two practice review reports were written by the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) after concerns were raised about the way the cases were dealt with.

One report was about the case of a young person known as child Bk.

Child Bk's mother had a relationship with someone described in the report as Person C, whose son, Mr D, was known to have downloaded child abuse images.

Mr D was released on police bail on condition that he lived with his parent, Person C, and had no unsupervised contact with children.

None of the agencies involved in the case made the connection between Child Bk and Mr D.

Mr D's electronic devices were on a waiting list for examination for more than two years, but it was finally confirmed in December 2021 that he had been watching child sexual abuse images.

It was around this time, according to the report, that he started sexually abusing Child Bk, who was then aged 11.

Concerns were raised about Child Bk's contact with Mr D in June 2022, but no strategy meeting was convened.

Instead, police officers went to Child Bk's home and spoke to her.

They recorded that there were no safeguarding concerns and Child Bk and Mr D were "like brother and sister".

In January 2023, Child Bk shared information that she was being sexually abused, and Mr D was eventually jailed for rape.

A second report into another case where signs were missed has not been made public, although its conclusions have.

Helen Adams, who chaired both panels on behalf of the NSCP, said: “These are distressing cases and no child should have to suffer this kind of abuse.

“These two reviews have certainly identified where changes can be made and we have already started working with all agencies concerned to improve our approach.

Julian Wooster, from the county's Children's Trust said: “Keeping children and young people safe is at the heart of all we do, and we acknowledge the failings highlighted in these reports and have already implemented some of the recommendations."

North Northamptonshire Council said a new risk assessment tool had now been introduced which supported professionals in identifying and assessing risk, as well as a new child exploitation hub.

Det Supt Joe Banfield, from Northamptonshire Police, said: “In the case of Child Bk, the force took swift action to arrest and charge the perpetrator.

“We recognise there were failings on a number of fronts and the report makes clear recommendations as to how these can be addressed."

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