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| 250 children 'at risk of grooming in Greater Manchester' | 250 children 'at risk of grooming in Greater Manchester' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Nearly 250 children are "at risk" of being sexually exploited across Greater Manchester, the BBC has learned. | Nearly 250 children are "at risk" of being sexually exploited across Greater Manchester, the BBC has learned. |
| Figures show that out of 246 children being dealt with by local councils, 111 were deemed to be at high risk of being sexually exploited. | Figures show that out of 246 children being dealt with by local councils, 111 were deemed to be at high risk of being sexually exploited. |
| Rochdale Council had the highest number of children at risk, but said tackling sexual exploitation was one of its top priorities. | Rochdale Council had the highest number of children at risk, but said tackling sexual exploitation was one of its top priorities. |
| In 2012 nine men were jailed for running a child sex ring in the town. | In 2012 nine men were jailed for running a child sex ring in the town. |
| 'High risk' | 'High risk' |
| Manchester City Council had 36 children known to it, of which 20 were at high risk. | Manchester City Council had 36 children known to it, of which 20 were at high risk. |
| Rochdale Council said there were 40 children at risk but only three of those fell into the high risk category, making them susceptible to being targeted by groomers. | Rochdale Council said there were 40 children at risk but only three of those fell into the high risk category, making them susceptible to being targeted by groomers. |
| The council's assessment looks at school attendance, home life, sexual health and types of risky behaviour. | |
| Each area is rated between 1-5, with an extra rating added based on an assessment of the seriousness of the young person's situation. These ratings give a score which allows the risk level to be identified as low, medium or high. | |
| The rating is reviewed at least every three months or following a significant event to allow the teams to monitor progress by the rating score increasing or decreasing over time. | |
| Gail Hopper, director of children's services at Rochdale Borough Council, said staff were now "better trained, skilled and supported to effectively assess and manage risk". | Gail Hopper, director of children's services at Rochdale Borough Council, said staff were now "better trained, skilled and supported to effectively assess and manage risk". |
| She said there was a better process of "identifying, assessing and intervening with young people at an earlier stage". | She said there was a better process of "identifying, assessing and intervening with young people at an earlier stage". |
| Protecting youngsters | Protecting youngsters |
| "As a result, the vast majority of young people involved with specialist services currently are considered to be at a medium rather than high level of risk, which is a continually improving picture," she said. | "As a result, the vast majority of young people involved with specialist services currently are considered to be at a medium rather than high level of risk, which is a continually improving picture," she said. |
| Stockport Labour MP Ann Coffey, who is conducting an inquiry to assess the improvements in protecting youngsters for Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "I think it's great that the local authorities are identifying children at risk, because if they can identify them they can make interventions that will stop these children being sexually exploited." | Stockport Labour MP Ann Coffey, who is conducting an inquiry to assess the improvements in protecting youngsters for Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "I think it's great that the local authorities are identifying children at risk, because if they can identify them they can make interventions that will stop these children being sexually exploited." |
| BBC Radio Manchester obtained the figures from safeguarding boards across Greater Manchester - the groups of professionals who are given the job of protecting children from abuse. | BBC Radio Manchester obtained the figures from safeguarding boards across Greater Manchester - the groups of professionals who are given the job of protecting children from abuse. |
| A serious case review by the Rochdale Safeguarding Children Board last year highlighted failures by 17 agencies who were meant to protect the children. | A serious case review by the Rochdale Safeguarding Children Board last year highlighted failures by 17 agencies who were meant to protect the children. |