Powys children's services: Report finds youngsters at risk of sexual exploitation

A Care and Social Services Inspectorate (CSSIW) report into Powys County Council's children's services uncovered serious failings in leadership, which led to children being placed at a risk of harm across the county.

The lengthy report says opportunities to safeguard children have been missed, despite requests for support.

The report found that in two cases there was an awareness of potential child sexual exploitation and vulnerability of going missing. However, inspectors found evidence in three cases where child sex exploitation protocols were not adhered to.

In one case of concern about child protection, nothing was done by the local authority.

Inspectors said: "Children and young people do not appear to be well served by the current arrangements for accessing support services in Powys.

"A lack of assessment, care and support planning combined with an inconsistent approach to working in line with the child sexual exploitation guidance and the management of sexual exploitation and risk assessment framework process placed children at risk of harm.

"In addition, child protection processes did not always comply with statutory guidance with delays in investigations and assessments being undertaken and completion of statutory visits."

CSSIW chief inspector Gillian Baranski says the report raises serious concerns, and the situation will be monitored closely.

She said: "It is clear from this report that we have serious concerns about the way children’s services are run by Powys County Council.

"We have made this clear to Powys County Council and expect to see rapid improvement to ensure that children are safeguarded and families in Powys receive the level of service they deserve. We are monitoring this closely.”

Council leader Rosemarie Harris has apologised and insisted the council are committed to safe-guarding children in the county.

She added: "We fully accept the regulators recommendations, their report is both hard hitting and challenging.

"We are sorry that we failed to meet the high standards residents deserve and apologise for our shortcomings.

“The council is totally committed to safe-guarding children in our county, and I will be leading the council’s response to the recommendations of the inspection from the front as a top priority and that ensuring that the resources are in place to underpin this work."

The report also found that frequent changes in management presented a 'fragile organisation without clear structures.'

This included four changes of head of service in the last two years, with the current post holder being an interim appointment.

The authority will produce an improvement plan in response to the recommendations in this report within 20 working days of publication.

This plan will be closely monitored as part of CSSIW’s programme of inspection, engagement and performance review.