Northumbria Police in ‘strong position’ to improve child protection

Northumbria Police trained its frontline and specialists alike about their roles in safeguarding children as part of a new operating model agreed in November 2017.

However, despite the force’s “evident” commitment to child protection, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) claims it still has to improve its management of missing children.

Domestic abuse cases where there are children in the family were also found to be below the expected standard – and just over a quarter of cases were rated as ‘good’ quality.

HM Inspector of Constabulary Matt Parr said he is confident the force takes its safeguarding duties seriously.

“Specialist officers are knowledgeable, committed and motivated. I was encouraged to see that individual officers took an effective investigative and protective approach to child protection,” he added.

“But this approach needs to be applied more consistently across the force.

“Northumbria Police has done some commendable work and is in a strong position to improve its child protection strategy. We expect to see further progress when we return later in the year.”

Of the 101 child protection cases assessed by HMICFRS for the report – published on Thursday (June 28 – 27 were found to be good.

Another 41 were rated as requiring improvement and the remaining 33 were inadequate.

Northumbria Police established a new safeguarding department in April 2016 that was designed to help coordinate the provision of child protection services.

A new operating model was also agreed last November, which led to specialist safeguarding functions receiving extra investment.

Despite these resources, HMICFRS found the force’s management of missing children assessed as having no apparent risk still needs to improve.

Decisions are being subject to insufficient oversight, and the wider risks posed to children appear to not always be considered.

A significant number of looked-after children were classified as ‘absent’ rather than missing, meaning threats were not always identified at the earliest opportunity.

Inspectors also identified that important paperwork was not being completed in cases involving domestic abuse incidents where children were not present.

This omission meant information that could have provided safeguarding opportunities was not always available.

Even further development is needed in the force’s understanding of outcomes for children, as performance measures currently focus on the quantity of incidents dealt with rather than the quality.

Northumbria Police has recognised this weakness and plans to address it through new monthly performance reviews.

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Bacon said: “I am glad that inspectors recognised our determination and commitment to keep children safe and highlighted some of the good work we do in this area.

“In particular cases which are investigated by specialist safeguarding teams received praise. However, it is clear that we can still make improvements and, as we have previously recognised, much of this centres around the consistency of the wider service we provide.

“We have already started to deliver on the recommendations and we are determined to do all we can to keep the region’s children safe and make sure the service they receive from Northumbria Police is outstanding.”