Rotherham agencies praised for child grooming action

The charity’s independent inquiry collected evidence from staff at the council, South Yorkshire Police, the NHS, youth service and the voluntary and community sector.

The report said: “We found positive examples of strategies in place to work within wider multi-agency partnerships including businesses, social landlords and communities.

“These new strategies will need further coordination and embedding.

“As is the nature of all developing multi-agency teams, work needs to be done to ensure the team have time to fully understand each other's roles and the potential that each partner can bring to the team.”

The report recommended the CSE Team improve its links in the community and be more accessible to young people.

Council chief executive Martin Kimber said the report demonstrated the significant progress made in tackling CSE, but would be used as part of the wider planning process to secure further improvements.

He added: “This will now be considered along with the findings of a number of other wide-ranging reviews, including the independent inquiry commissioned by the council.”

The council’s response will be presented at the Cabinet meeting next Wednesday.

Read the Advertiser’s full report in Friday’s paper.