Ofsted, Care Quality Commission (CQC), HM Inspectorate of
Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
and HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP), have today published
guidance for the second round of thematic inspections focusing on
child sexual abuse in the family environment, as part of their
programme of joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs).
Inspectors will look at how the police, children's social care,
probation services and relevant health services in a local area
work together to:
-
respond to children at risk of, or who are victims of, child
sexual abuse in the family environment, at the point of
identification
-
assess, plan and make decisions in response to notifications
and referrals of children at risk of, or who are victims of,
child sexual abuse in the family environment
-
protect, support, and care for children at risk of, or who
are victims of, child sexual abuse in the family environment
-
prevent children from becoming victims of child sexual abuse
in the family environment
Read the full guidance: Joint targeted area
inspections of the response to child sexual abuse in the family
environment
Inspectors will also evaluate how local agencies work with
education and early years providers and the voluntary and
community sector, to identify and respond to children who are
victims of this kind of abuse.
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Social
Care, said:
In 2020, we published a report calling on policy makers and local
partners to give greater attention to child sexual abuse in the
family environment; so that its prevalence could be better
understood, victims could be protected, and offenders brought to
justice.
Since the publication of our previous report, data is showing a
decline in the prevalence of children on child protection plans
for child sexual abuse and the absence of justice for victims
remains a concern. Considering this, and given growing concerns
around child-on-child and online child sexual abuse, it is the
right time to revisit this issue in our upcoming JTAI.
Martin Jones, HM Chief Inspector of Probation,
said:
Probation services are a vital part of the multi-agency response
to child sexual abuse in the family environment. As part of the
joint targeted area inspections, we will be examining how
probation staff assess and manage the risks posed by sexual
offenders, deliver effective interventions, and work with other
agencies to safeguard children. These inspections provide a
valuable opportunity to strengthen practice and drive
improvements that make a meaningful difference to children's
lives.
Lucy Harte, Deputy Director for Multiagency Operations at
CQC, said:
It is vital that children are protected from sexual abuse,
particularly when it may be perpetrated by family members who are
entrusted with keeping them safe. Health services play a key role
in both identifying the potential signs of abuse and also in
providing support to those who are experiencing harm.
Working alongside our fellow inspectorates, this multi-agency
inspection programme will allow us to focus on the experience of
children who often receive support from a number of different
agencies. This will ultimately provide us with a better
understanding of how health services support children who are
victims of sexual abuse in the family environment.
Michelle Skeer, His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary,
said:
Child sexual abuse within the family environment is a horrific
crime, accounting for almost half of all child sexual abuse
offences reported to the police in England and Wales. It can have
a devastating impact on children and those around them, and the
impacts can be lifelong.
The latest inspections will scrutinise how effectively local
agencies collaborate to protect some of our most vulnerable
children. Together with the CQC, HMIP and Ofsted we will
assess how the safeguarding partnership is working together to
identify risks early, respond appropriately to concerns, and
ultimately act quickly to make sure children receive the support
and protection they deserve.
Notes to editors
-
In February 2020, the joint inspectorates published a report
on the multi-agency
response to child sexual abuse in the family environment.
The report was an overview of findings from JTAIs in 6 local
areas that examined the multi-agency response to children
harmed by, or at risk of, child sexual abuse.
-
In November 2024, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review
Panel recommended a further JTAI on the
multi-agency response to child sexual abuse in the family
environment.
