Vulnerable children in Dudley 'could be in danger of being exploited or abused'

This is according to a risk management report produced by Dudley Council which shows there is an “extreme risk” that vulnerable children might not be protected.

The report says failures could lead to “serious harm and abuse” of a child as well as multi-agency investigation and reputation damage.

Vulnerable children in Dudley might suffer many different kinds of abuse according to the Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership (DSPP).

The DSPP website says child sexual exploitation, physical abuse, radicalisation and sexual abuse are all dangers confronting vulnerable young people.

The council has said that a lack of resources to meet increasing demand as well as changing patterns of abuse and the inability to recruit and retain staff have all led to difficulties in protecting children from harm.

It is also believed that staff shortages during Covid as well as the cost of living crisis may have exacerbated council and community difficulties.

In order to counter the issues the council says it is providing safeguarding training to all children social care staff as well as other key staff within the council and external stakeholders.

A workforce board led by the director of children’s services has also been established to improve recruitment and retention and therefore build the capacity to work with children and families to support and protect them.

They also continue to operate an exploitation hub which works to improve the ability to respond when children and young people are found to be at risk of criminal exploitation.

The latest council risk report published on December 5 says there is an “extreme risk” that the council will be unable to protect vulnerable children.

In response, Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We’re working hard across the council to protect and support vulnerable children and young people.

"We have an improvement plan in place, which is being driven by our leadership team, and is focused on improving practice standards and performance as well as supporting staff to engage and listen to children and parents.”