OPINION: Council MUST now get it right

The report by MPs called for further Ofsted inspections and said the council was “inexcusably slow” to recognise the problem, while police commissioner Shaun Wright showed reluctance to engage with victims.

Perhaps most scathing, the report even cast doubt as to whether or not training and meetings were actually taking place because of Rotherham’s continued dismal record in prosecuting cases — there have been none since 2010.

Understandably, council chief executive Martin Kimber has defended strategic director of children’s services Joyce Thacker, who has come in for particular criticism.

The MPs’ report says: “We were (also) concerned that Ms Thacker, who has many years’ experience of working to tackle CSE, told us that in her opinion prosecution is the icing on the cake.

“Whilst we agree that prevention is the key to tackling CSE, the view that because convictions are difficult to achieve, they should not be a focus of child protection work is unhelpful.”

Mr Kimber is right to talk about the prevention of grooming, and to recognise just how important seeing an offender brought to justice is to a victim. Unfortunately, the latter has not been happening.

The report also suggested Shaun Wright may wish to take more of an interest in his victims.

These criticisms are stinging and have undoubtedly hit home and are being acted upon — but in many cases it is too late.

Chairman of the report committee Keith Vaz in announcing further Ofsted visits to ensure work carried out is not simply “cosmetic”, delivered the hammer blow when he said: “We must not accept assurances that the situation is improving without hard evidence. Race is a factor but it is one of many in cases of child sexual exploitation.

“Officials who fail to act, for example in places like Rotherham or Rochdale, must not be allowed to evade responsibility through early retirement or resignation for other reasons.”

The Advertiser has listened to the views of a lot of people regarding CSE and that final sentence of Mr Vaz’s is one that is echoed by many people who have been in touch through social media and on our letters pages.

While in places the criticism may seem harsh, particularly when it is directed at a small number of individuals, it is vital that Rotherham is seen to get it right when it comes to reacting to this report.

In the past, this has not happened, and the Ofsted visit towards the end of the year will prove to be a telling one and a potentially uncomfortable one at that.