Rotherham Council plans action to uncover sexual abuse within families

Children suffering sexual abuse within their families could be identified sooner under new safeguarding plans in Rotherham.

A new council strategy calls for professionals to spot signs of abuse even when children do not directly tell anyone what is happening, and to keep protecting them even if there is no prosecution.

Covering 2027 to 2030, it brings together the council, police and health services to improve how abuse is recognised, investigated and prevented.

The strategy cites national estimates that one in ten children experience some form of sexual abuse before turning 16, with only one in eight affected children known to professionals at the time.

Those figures cover child sexual abuse nationally, rather than abuse within families in Rotherham.

Locally, sexual abuse featured in 4.5 per cent of child protection investigations and 2.6 per cent of child protection plans in 2025–26. The document stresses these figures reflect recorded safeguarding activity, rather than how widespread abuse is.

The plans aim to reduce repeat harm, improve access to therapy and other support, and strengthen action against adults who pose a sexual risk.

They also warn that poorly coordinated responses can leave children having to repeat their accounts, causing further distress.

Boys, disabled children and children from minority communities may face additional barriers to being identified or getting help, the document says.

Progress would be monitored through measures including waiting times, repeat harm and feedback from children and families. An increase in referrals could indicate that more abuse is being recognised, rather than that more is occurring.

Rotherham Council’s Improving Lives Select Commission is being asked to endorse the proposed strategy at its next meeting on November 3.