A report into child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Oldham was published on Monday, June 20, more than two and a half years after it was commissioned by Mayor Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor Baroness Beverley Hughes.

The work is one part of a review into the response of the authorities to CSE across the region, which itself commenced almost five years ago, and included Oldham in its scope at a later date.

The report's authors, children's services expert Malcolm Newsam and ex-detective superintendent Gary Ridgway, were asked to consider a number of allegations and the response to them by Oldham Council, as well as its partner agencies including GMP and the NHS. 

Specifically, the work is concerned with allegations on social media about children's homes, shisha establishments and taxi services, and their use to access children for the purposes of sexual exploitation between 2011 and 2014.

But it is also concerned with a number of other cases, including the cases of offenders once employed by Oldham Council.

The report's publication was pushed back on a number of occasions due to coronavirus, legal issues and the emergence of extra evidence earlier this year, but it is now available for all to read.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the report.*

  • There were serious shortcomings in the handling of some cases of CSE in Oldham, in particular one victim, 'Sophie', whose name has been changed to hide her identity.
  • This was due to 'a structural flaw' in the system set up to tackle CSE, and it led to some children not being protected and some perpetrators not being apprehended.
  • There is, however, no evidence to suggest a cover-up by the authorities or by councillors.
  • There is also no evidence of widespread CSE in children's homes, shisha establishments or taxi services, although a small number of children were exposed to sexual exploitation in these settings.
  • Oldham Council tried to address the threat of CSE, but this did not translate into an appropriate amount of protection. A study of 10 complex cases discovered a 'poor' standard of casework.
  • Oldham Council and GMP have agreed to review these cases and consider whether action could be taken.
  • The case of one victim, Sophie is of particular concern. Aged 12 in 2006, she was exploited and Oldham Council and GMP failed to protect her. These failures were made worse by the denial of wrongdoing by both authorities. Both are recommended to acknowledge these failures and apologise to Sophie.

*This is a live article.