Staffordshire Police needs to improve how it investigates and responds to children at risk

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded Staffordshire Police’s performance across five areas, assessing how well it safeguards children who are at risk. It found the force was ‘good’ in one area, ‘adequate’ in two areas and ‘requires improvement’ in two areas.

HMICFRS said that the force works with local and national partners to identify and share learning. It shares information promptly with schools so that they can make sure children at risk get support. The force, with its partners, has also invested in specialist training for sudden or unexpected death in childhood, which inspectors identified as an area of innovative practice.

The force works well with partner agencies to carry out prompt and regular risk assessments of children at risk of, or harmed by, exploitation. For example, officers and staff work with hotels to make sure their employees can spot and report signs of exploitation.

However, the inspectorate said that the force must record missing children correctly to make sure it responds appropriately to keep them safe. It also needs to reduce delays when responding to incidents where it is likely to use police protection powers.

HMICFRS said that the force should make sure that all officers and staff, and their supervisors who investigate online child sexual exploitation have the right knowledge and skills. Inspectors found that the force didn’t prioritise the safeguarding of children in all relevant investigative activity.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of Staffordshire Police in safeguarding children at risk, but there are some areas in which it needs to improve.

“Chief officers and senior leaders make sure there are enough officers and staff to provide effective safeguarding services for children and their families.

“The force contributes well to multi-agency child protection arrangements and works productively with its statutory safeguarding partners.

“But further progress is needed. The force needs to improve how it investigates online child sexual exploitation and its out-of-hours response to the sudden and unexpected death of a child.

“It should also make sure its officers and staff record children’s demographic information, such as ethnicity, so it can better assess risks.

“I was reassured that the force responded promptly and comprehensively to our 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.”

Staffordshire Police said it has responded promptly to feedback and has already started implementing plans to address areas needing improvement.

Superintendent Bev Matthews, head of Child Public Protection, said: “Safeguarding children is one of our highest priorities. We welcome the findings of HMICFRS and are committed to addressing the areas for improvement identified. Work is already underway to deliver targeted actions that will strengthen our response and ensure the highest standards of protection for children across Staffordshire.”

Staffordshire PCC Ben Adams said: “All children have the right to grow up in safety, and the public rightly expect our police to be able to protect those most vulnerable in our communities from harm.

“Part of my role is holding Staffordshire Police to account on behalf of the public, and whilst I am reassured that progress has been made in this vital area, there is still work to be done.

“It is important that this momentum is maintained, and I will be closely monitoring the force’s performance over the coming months, and beyond.”