SCD5
Child Abuse Investigation Command
DI Sue Inwood
The past, the present and beyond
Why we do the CRAM and the QA Process
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 world @ 450 detectives/200 police staff
• Serves Pan London 32 LSCB’s (some wider remit)
• Modernisation program post Baby Peter, 2008-10
Child Abuse Investigation Command
SCD5 Issues/Challenges/Role
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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
Police Areas for Improvement – AFI’s
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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
Child Abuse Investigation Command
“RISK”
• "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.
Child Abuse Investigation Command
Reducing risk & repeat victims
0.08% were repeat victims
5 times or more (in 12months)
No of Repeat Victims
1.34% were repeat victims
3 times or more (in 12months)
9.17% were repeat victims
Initial Crime Reports
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
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Intelligence
Risk factors
Risk assessment
Supervision
Recording
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)
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Reduce risk
Avoid risk
Remove risk
Accept risk
Risk assessment is an ongoing process
Measures must be SMART
Record Rationale.
Child Abuse Investigation Command
Tracey Connelly
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History of Drug/Alcohol
abuse
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In & out of care
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Socially inadequate
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Special Needs Education
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Previous victim of abuse
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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.
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Based on learning from SCR’s, MARAC, Intel Analysis, SUDI’s etc
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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
07920822903
Child Abuse Investigation Command