WEST MIDLANDS Police have been ordered to improve child protection services in three areas.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carried out an inspection at the force to see how well it manages child protection across five areas.
It found the force was good in one area, adequate in one area and requires improvement in three areas.
HMICFRS said that the force’s governance arrangements provide strong oversight of performance and practice.
The force prioritises child protection and has good oversight of ongoing issues through its daily threat and risk meetings.
The report also noted the force also works well with its safeguarding partners. It has good arrangements to share information and contribute to joint plans to prevent harm to children.
The reported noted the force needs to make sure that its officers and staff consistently speak with children and record the voice of the child.
Inspectors also said that the force needs to correctly flag children who are at risk of, or harmed by, exploitation, and those perpetrators who pose a risk to children.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Michelle Skeer, said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of West Midlands Police in safeguarding children at risk, but there are several areas in which it needs to improve.
“We found chief officers and senior leaders make sure there are enough officers and staff to provide effective safeguarding services for children and their families. And the force has a range of measures to support the well-being of its officers and staff who work in child protection roles.
“But the force needs to make sure that officers and staff speak with children and record the voice of the child consistently. It should also make referrals to statutory safeguarding partners for every child in need of help and support, and check that those referrals contain all relevant information.
“It is also really important that all officers and staff investigating child sexual exploitation have the right knowledge and skills to get the best outcomes for children.
“I was reassured that the force responded promptly and comprehensively to our ongoing feedback during this inspection. It has already put some plans in place to address the areas in which it needs to improve. I will continue to monitor its progress.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jen Mattinson said: “Child protection is a priority for West Midlands Police, it is crucial that we protect the most vulnerable people in our society. We have a shared responsibility to look for the warning signs, be alert to the risks and act quickly to protect children.
“The report highlighted the strong oversight of performance and practice arrangements that are in place for child protection.
“Most of this work isn’t visible to the public but it is a vital part of policing. I am pleased that our work with partners has been graded as good – we have built strong relations with those who provide children services across the West Midlands.
“Child protection is a complex area of policing and we know there’s more we need to do, we have already put plans in place to focus on the areas that require improvement.”
