North Wales Police demonstrates a thorough understanding of its
responsibilities towards protecting children from harm, according
to a new report.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue
Services (HMICFRS) inspected how the force protects children and
investigates reports of child abuse. It found that the
force is performing to a generally good standard with respect to
child protection and safeguarding.
The subsequent report, National Child Protection
Inspection. North Wales Police, identified the following
areas of positive practice:
- effective
working arrangements with partner agencies (for example, in the
Royal Society for Public Health’s ‘Early Action Together’
programme);
- control room
staff conduct a thorough search of systems for relevant
information, which is then shared with frontline response
officers to help them make better decisions about the best way to
protect children; and
- good
investigations conducted by specialist officers, with joint
decisions and clearly recorded investigative activity.
However, HMICFRS did also identify areas of concern, including
the practices it uses to manage those who pose a risk to
children. Other areas for improvement included:
- the treatment
of children detained in police custody;
- the training
for officers and staff who investigate child abuse; and
- the force’s
response to children who have been reported missing.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams
said:
“Child protection work is one of the most important duties any
force carries out. It is crucial that police forces
identify children who are at risk of harm and intervene in a
sensitive and appropriate manner.
“I am therefore pleased overall with the results of our
inspection into North Wales Police, which revealed that the force
is doing a good job at protecting children from harm.
“What really came across during our inspection was the genuine
commitment to child protection and safeguarding. We saw
this commitment at all levels, from the force’s senior leadership
to frontline officers and support staff.
“This commitment is demonstrated in a variety of positive
outcomes, from good frontline response work to effective
decision-making.
“Unfortunately, we did also identify some problems. Most
notably, we have concerns about the way the force manages people
who pose a risk to children. We also believe that the force
could do better work directly with children themselves, including
listening to, recording and acting on their concerns and
behaviour.”
As a result of the report, HMICFRS issued the force with a list
of recommendations for improvement. The Inspectorate will
carry out a follow-up inspection of the force within the next six
months.
