FOI release

Child Sexual Exploitation and Children in Need Assessments 2016-22

Case reference FOI2023/00523

Published 18 April 2023

Request

We would like information on the percentage of children who were victims of child sexual exploitation offences who had a 'Child in Need' assessment undertaken, from January 2016 - December 2022.

For the purposes of this Freedom of Information request, child sexual exploitation offences are defined by the Sexual Offences Act 2003 as amended by Section 68 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. This includes:

* Section 47 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Paying for sexual services of a child;

* Section 48 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Causing or inciting [sexual exploitation of a child];

* Section 49 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Controlling a child [in relation to sexual exploitation];

* Section 50 Sexual Offences Act 2003: Arranging or facilitating [sexual exploitation of a child].

'Children in Need' plans are defined by Section 17 of the Children's Act 1989.

We are looking to find out:

* What was the percentage of children who were victims of child sexual exploitation offences who had a 'Child in Need' assessment undertaken, from January 2016 - December 2022.

Response

Of the total Child In Need assessments undertaken by Herefordshire Council from 1 January 2016 - 31 December 2022, 1.61% of children were identified with child sexual exploitation as a risk factor.

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

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