This report outlines the Council’s involvement in safeguarding against child sexual exploitation.

The Board is asked to note the report.

The Head of Policy, Culture and Communications submitted a report (previously circulated, now appended) concerning the Council’s involvement in safeguarding against child sexual exploitation. Councillor Pat Kennedy, Board Member for Education, Crime and Community Safety presented the report to the Board and explained the background to it.

Councillor Kennedy explained that the prevention of child sexual exploitation was priority for the Health and Wellbeing Board. Oxford City Council had been one of the first to produce a plan concerning this topic, now other Councils were doing so too. Oxfordshire County Council had produced a report to its Cabinet on this issue.

Councillor Susan Brown observed that the play “Chelsey’s Choice” had been seen by many young people during the last year, and had been useful in that it had raised awareness of the issue and had brought forward some young people who felt they were at risk. She asked what was being done this year.  Tim Sadler, Executive Director, Community Services, explained that colleagues at Oxfordshire County Council were considering a continuation of this work, and as it was important to get into schools early, would be looking at a wider package of measures.  The Board felt that it was important to keep up to date on this issue.

Resolved to note the report.