Northamptonshire Police Child Protection Arrangements

A series of inspections by HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has found that Northamptonshire Police has more progress to make before it can offer assurance that children at risk in the county are being adequately protected.

In January, as part of a pilot multi-agency inspection of child protection arrangements in Northamptonshire, the inspectorate found that Northamptonshire Police was not giving sufficient priority to the protection of children in the county. The pilot found that child protection arrangements in Northamptonshire were wholly inadequate.

A further inspection by HMIC in March found the force had developed a plan for how it would improve its approach to child protection. But, there were still concerns and HMIC considered that more progress should have been made.

The most recent revisit by HMIC in June found that the force had made extensive changes, investing significantly in child protection and developing a comprehensive plan designed to ensure the required improvements are made. However, HMIC concluded it is too early to say whether the force is doing enough to properly protect children at risk within the county.

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