Rotherham Council failed to recognise abuse on its own doorstep – MPs’ report

The Home Affairs Select Committee published its report into localised child grooming on Monday following a lengthy inquiry.

The borough council was subjected to strong criticism for a “woeful lack of professional curiosity or indifference” about child sexual exploitation (CSE).

The report said: “When we took evidence from Rotherham Council, they did not accept that there had been serious failings in the council’s response in the past, although they were at pains to highlight the improvement on work which they had done on CSE.

“Whilst we do not doubt that Rotherham has improved the way that its services are coordinated as regards CSE, we question whether they are more concerned with defending their record than with ensuring that an effective response is provided by all official agencies across the borough.”

The committee was surprised that Rotherham’s children’s services was allowed to have its notice to improve lifted by the Department for Education in 2011. It recommended further Ofsted reviews.

See Friday’s Advertiser for full report and reaction.