Child Abuse Investigation Command The past, the present and beyond Why we do the CRAM and the QA Process SCD5 Child Abuse Investigation Command DI Sue Inwood

Child Abuse Investigation Command Child Abuse Investigation Command – SCD5 History & Background SCD5 mission to make children safer in London Established post Victoria Climbie 2000 Largest dedicated police child abuse/protection command in 450 detectives/200 police staff Serves Pan London 32 LSCBs (some wider remit) Modernisation program post Baby Peter,

Child Abuse Investigation Command SCD5 Issues/Challenges/Role Multi-agency working Complex arena child abuse investigation Child Protection/Safeguarding issues Very High Organisational Risk Critical decisions at low levels High profile criminal justice cases Intense media interest Political issues

Child Abuse Investigation Command Recording - data standards – IT systems Information exchange (updating & challenging) Supervision (quality, consistency, timeliness) Identifying critical risk in high volume (how?) Risk assessment (control measures) Focus on high risk Escalation and challenge Resilience/capacity/skills/training Police Areas for Improvement – AFIs

Child Abuse Investigation Command "Once risk has been assessed, the more substantial task is to manage it, to think of how to intervene to reduce it" Munroe, E Effective Child Protection 2008 "The absence of a clear focus on the source of risk to children is important because in such situations child protection registration or any form of supervision is unlikely to be effective." Humphreys & Stanley, DV & CP, Directions for Good Practice. RISK

Child Abuse Investigation Command Reducing risk & repeat victims Initial Crime Reports No of Repeat Victims 9.17% were repeat victims 1.34% were repeat victims 3 times or more (in 12months) 0.08% were repeat victims 5 times or more (in 12months)

Child Abuse Investigation Command CHILD RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX (CRAM) A comprehensive process underpinning key activities supporting core Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT) responsibilities. Based upon proactive use of intelligence to identify risk and support decisions. The CRAM applies to the 3 core CAIT activity areas: Referrals - Investigation - Protection.

Child Abuse Investigation Command CHILD RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX (CRAM) Using intelligence research to support decision making rationale; Completing & updating risk assessments with case specific control measures that are regularly reviewed by a supervisor; Focus on identifying repeat victims of crime and those at critical risk within high volume referrals; The timely exchange of information with relevant partners; The use of consistent & authoritative supervision to support case officers

Child Abuse Investigation Command CRAM - 6 core elements 1.Intelligence 2.Risk factors 3.Risk assessment 4.Supervision 5.Recording 6.Communication

Child Abuse Investigation Command SCD5 Risk Principles Risk Factors can be grouped Number of factors present can compound risk Repeat victimisation leads to higher risk Recognise critical risk in high volume Simple recording system to assist recognition of risk Dialogue with others to enhance assessment. Control Measures R.A.R.A Reduce/Avoid/Remove/Accept - Risk Appropriate (early) intervention in cases of chronic abuse/neglect to protect

Child Abuse Investigation Command Control Measures (RARA) R Reduce risk A Avoid risk R Remove risk A Accept risk Risk assessment is an ongoing process Measures must be SMART Record Rationale.

Child Abuse Investigation Command Tracey Connelly History of Drug/Alcohol abuse In & out of care Socially inadequate Special Needs Education Previous victim of abuse Met ex-husband at 15yrs

Child Abuse Investigation Command Stephen Barker Semi-literate Allegedly abused as a child Mental Health issues Special Needs Education Animal Cruelty Relationship issues

Child Abuse Investigation Command Jason Owen Previous convictions Drug abuse Troubled youth Suspected Paedophile Name changes 15 year old girlfriend

Child Abuse Investigation Command Risk Factors: (Victim, Suspect, Household) A structure for intelligence research for the 3 CAIT activity areas: Referral, Investigation and Protection. Based on learning from SCRs, MARAC, Intel Analysis, SUDIs etc Risk Assessment reviewed/updated on new & current Information

Child Abuse Investigation Command Quality Assurance Process Set terms of reference Remote data monitoring Site visit and structured interviews with staff Report of visit compiled Passed to SMT lead and CAIT DI Action plan set and agreed, reviewed after 3 months Partnership team visits Bi-monthly DI meetings

Child Abuse Investigation Command Any Questions