PFD report

Natasha Hill · Prevention of Future Deaths report

Pin Get email alerts Request correction

Issued 1 May 2026•Inner South London

Report record

Published report and response evidence

This page connects the concerns raised in this report with statements found in recipients’ published responses. A link shows a clear evidence connection; it does not assign responsibility.

View original report
Concerns
7

Raised in this report

Recipients
3

Named on the report

Responses found
3

Of 3 recipients

Stated actions
30

Described in responses

Recipients and published responses

Source document

Full report text

This is the full text from the original published report.

Open published report

Concerns and recipient responses

Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.

Concerns raised7

  1. Limited national dissemination of local safeguarding protocols
    Part of recurring concern: Failure to disseminate safeguarding protocols and learning reliably
  2. Failure to formally review safeguarding, domestic violence or controlling or coercive behaviour risks affecting teenagers approaching 18
    Part of recurring concern: Failure to maintain effective safeguarding review and monitoringPart of recurring concern: Failure to recognise and respond to coercive and controlling behaviour
  3. Lack of consistent criteria and central guidance for safeguarding offender management functions
Responses linked to these concerns

Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.

Actions described in response An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.8

  1. Action

    Develop updated national guidance on VAWG protection orders, offender management, breach response and escalation pathways.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  2. Action

    Keep the child-exploitation disruption framework under review to support coordinated safeguarding and information sharing.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  3. Action

    Develop a consistent, victim-centred national policing response to child sexual exploitation.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.

Respondent positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when it does not describe a specific action.3

  1. Position

    The legal framework provides no direct adult equivalent to a CAWN or nationally adopted young person’s abuse warning notice.

    Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilUnable to actThe respondent said that a constraint prevented them from taking the relevant action.

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Limited national dissemination of local safeguarding protocols

Wider context from the report

“• To consider the wider dissemination of existing local protocols nationally, for example the London Exploitation Protocol. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Failure to disseminate safeguarding protocols and learning reliably.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Failure to formally review safeguarding, domestic violence or controlling or coercive behaviour risks affecting teenagers approaching 18

Wider context from the report

“• Anyone requiring/needing/suffering o Safeguarding o Domestic violence o Controlling/ coercive behaviour And incurring the consequential risks, as a teenager approaching 18 should be formally reviewed by an adult safeguarding team ad the independent reviewing officer. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Failure to maintain effective safeguarding review and monitoring; Failure to recognise and respond to coercive and controlling behaviour.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of consistent criteria and central guidance for safeguarding offender management functions

Wider context from the report

“• Re safeguarding offender management, the use of VOO's and the creation of POETs/ DAPST and RMUs: consideration should be given to the creation of one set of criteria with one name whose role it is to cover and create a central guidance. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of specific protection for young people against adults creating safeguarding risks

Wider context from the report

“• Thought should be given to the creation of a young person's protection by way of creation of an extension to the CAWN for the young person, against the adult creating that safeguarding risk e.g. young person's abuse warning notice. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

Yes — Failure to provide protective mechanisms for children at risk from adults.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of one single national policy for policing and child sexual exploitation

Wider context from the report

“• The creation of one single national policy for policing and child sexual exploitation following the groundwork laid down by Operation Hydrant and local Forces. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of guidance on missing persons, runaways and return-to-home interviews

Wider context from the report

“• The provision of guidance in respect of missing persons/ runaways and the return to home interviews to assist the actions of the police and local councils. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this individual concern was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the report wording shown below. Response links show a clear evidence connection; they do not assign responsibility.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Lack of a young person's team covering transition from under-18 services to adult safeguarding teams

Wider context from the report

“• Thought should be given to creating a young person's team covering the transition from under 18 (MACE) to adult safeguarding teams e.g. For the period 18-22. ”

Is this part of a recurring concern?

No recurring-concern membership is currently published.

Open source report

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Develop updated national guidance on VAWG protection orders, offender management, breach response and escalation pathways.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While Protective Order Enforcement Teams (POETs), Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPSTs) and Risk Management Units (RMUs) are all distinct operational teams within policing and Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) are an important tool, we recognise that they should operate as part of a coherent system. The NCVPP helps bring together learning, guidance and best practice to improve the consistency and quality of the policing response to VAWG and public protection harms. As part of this, the NCVPP is taking forward work in a number of areas linked to risk assessment, offender management, safeguarding and protection orders including:”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Keep the child-exploitation disruption framework under review to support coordinated safeguarding and information sharing.

Verbatim wording from the response

“in the Home Office’s Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit [See more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-exploitation-disruption-toolkit].”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Develop a consistent, victim-centred national policing response to child sexual exploitation.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Matter of concern 4 The creation of one single national policy for policing and child sexual exploitation following the groundwork laid down by Operation Hydrant and local Forces.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Conduct an urgent review of adult safeguarding powers and duties, including consultation on updated safeguarding guidance and consideration of transition safeguards.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The National Adult Safeguarding Board will be conducting an urgent review of adult safeguarding powers and duties. The first part of that work will be to consult on updating the safeguarding chapter of Care and support statutory guidance (CASSG). As part of this update, we will consider what guidance can be provided to strengthen safeguarding in the context of the transition of young people to adult services. In that process we will take the learning from this PFD report and consider the recommendation that when a teenager with care and support needs approaches 18 they should be reviewed formally by an adult safeguarding team and the independent reviewing officer.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Update guidance for children who go missing from home or care in collaboration with operational partners and sector stakeholders.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Department for Education, working with colleagues across government, will be updating the content of the guidance for children who go missing from home or care. We will be working closely with a wide range of operational partners and sector stakeholders as part of this process, including on the format for this guidance, to ensure a robust multi-agency response to missing children.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 5 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Request additional transition-to-adulthood wording in the College of Policing Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice draft.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We have taken an urgent review of the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice that is currently out for consultation through the College of Policing. There is much within the draft APP that aligns with transitional safeguarding principles, particularly its emphasis on vulnerability, exploitation, coercion and control, trauma informed practice, professional curiosity, information sharing and avoiding victim blaming. However a gap has been identified relating to transition to adulthood, and we have requested that additional wording is included. You can find the consultation here until 4th August 2026: Child abuse APP – have your say | College of Policing.”

Source location

Response from National Police Chiefs Council
Page 6 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review the College of Policing Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice draft for transition-to-adulthood gaps.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We have taken an urgent review of the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice that is currently out for consultation through the College of Policing. There is much within the draft APP that aligns with transitional safeguarding principles, particularly its emphasis on vulnerability, exploitation, coercion and control, trauma informed practice, professional curiosity, information sharing and avoiding victim blaming. However a gap has been identified relating to transition to adulthood, and we have requested that additional wording is included. You can find the consultation here until 4th August 2026: Child abuse APP – have your say | College of Policing.”

Source location

Response from National Police Chiefs Council
Page 6 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Promote disruption as a safeguarding intervention through NPCC conferences and learning events.

Verbatim wording from the response

“conferences and learning events have promoted the use of disruption as a safeguarding intervention, encouraging agencies to move beyond reactive measures and develop coordinated, preventative responses to perpetrators and exploitation networks.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 5 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

The legal framework provides no direct adult equivalent to a CAWN or nationally adopted young person’s abuse warning notice.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN) is, by design, a child protection tool and ceases to apply once the young person reaches 18. The DHR demonstrates how this created a significant safeguarding gap: the risk posed by the perpetrator remained unchanged, but one of the key disruption mechanisms available to agencies fell away when Natasha became an adult.”

Source location

Response from National Police Chiefs Council
Page 5 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

No statutory Return Home Interview requirement or exploitation framework automatically continues into adulthood.

Verbatim wording from the response

“For children, Return Home Interviews (RHIs) are a key safeguarding intervention. They provide an opportunity to understand why a child went missing, whether exploitation or abuse has occurred, what support is required and what action should be taken to prevent further harm. The information gathered should inform safeguarding planning, disruption activity and multi-agency risk management.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 6 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

No equivalent adult protection notice to a CAWN or nationally adopted young person's abuse warning notice currently exists within the divided legal framework.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Child Abduction Warning Notice (CAWN) is, by design, a child protection tool and ceases to apply once the young person reaches 18. The DHR demonstrates how this created a significant safeguarding gap: the risk posed by the perpetrator remained unchanged, but one of the key disruption mechanisms available to agencies fell away when Natasha became an adult.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 5 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Other statements in published responses

These actions and other statements could not be clearly connected to one concern in this report.

Recipient-stated actions An action is something a recipient says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to a concern raised.22

  1. 1

    Fund and establish Operation Beaconport to improve investigation of group-based child sexual exploitation and support trauma-informed victims’ services.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  2. 2

    Develop consistent, improved and evidence-led MARAC and MATAC arrangements to support joined-up multi-agency working.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  3. 3

    Develop and maintain Authorised Professional Practice providing national expectations for identifying risk, safeguarding victims and pursuing offenders.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  4. 4

    Consult with partners on whether to amend the government definition and guidance on child sexual exploitation.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  5. 5

    Strengthen protection-order data recording and quality by issuing clear instructions to police forces on data entry and maintenance.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  6. 6

    Fund the TOEX Programme to use data and analytics to identify exploitation patterns, link offending and connect intelligence across forces.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  7. 7

    Improve risk-assessment practice by publishing secondary-risk-assessment guidance and strengthening information-sharing arrangements.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  8. 8

    Work with national policing partners and support programmes that strengthen child-sexual-exploitation policing across England and Wales.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  9. 9

    Support establishment of Stalking Protection Order intensification sites in selected police forces.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  10. 10

    Fund the CSE Taskforce to provide complex-investigation support, peer reviews, training, operational advice and national guidance products.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  11. 11

    Fund the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection to provide national leadership and improve public-protection policing practice.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  12. 12

    Deliver a cross-government approach to halve violence against women and girls over a decade under the VAWG Strategy.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  13. 13

    Share child-exploitation learning and promote multi-agency working through force reviews, practitioner networks and safeguarding-partner engagement.

    Stated by Home OfficeStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  14. 14

    Publish transitional safeguarding guidance for adult social work, addressing young people’s transition from adolescence into adulthood.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  15. 15

    Review care leaver deaths to identify safeguarding themes and lessons for future policy and operational practice.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  16. 16

    Establish a duty for local authorities to provide Staying Close support to care leavers until age 25.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  17. 17

    Consult on and revise the statutory framework for children’s help, support and protection, including guidance and policy for multi-agency child protection teams.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  18. 18

    Introduce community-based Family Help and multi-agency child protection teams through the Families First Partnership programme.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  19. 19

    Develop best-practice principles and training materials to improve transitions into adult social care.

    Stated by Department for EducationStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  20. 20

    Conduct an urgent review of the College of Policing Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice.

    Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  21. 21

    Use national self-assessment activity to help forces and safeguarding partners evaluate child sexual exploitation responses and identify improvement areas.

    Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.
  22. 22

    Request additional transition-to-adulthood wording in the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice.

    Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 14 August 2026.

Recipient positions A position is what a recipient says about a concern when they do not describe a specific action.1

  1. 1

    The principal safeguarding problem was ineffective coordination between existing structures, not the absence of safeguarding structures.

    Stated by National Police Chiefs’ CouncilDisputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Fund and establish Operation Beaconport to improve investigation of group-based child sexual exploitation and support trauma-informed victims’ services.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are working with national policing partners to strengthen the response to child sexual exploitation, including group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, by supporting programmes that improve the policing response across England and Wales. The Government has established the national policing operation into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, Operation Beaconport, backed by almost £38 million, to improve policing’s ability to investigate group-based offending, ensuring a consistent response wherever abuse is reported and better, trauma-informed support for victims and survivors.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Develop consistent, improved and evidence-led MARAC and MATAC arrangements to support joined-up multi-agency working.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While Protective Order Enforcement Teams (POETs), Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPSTs) and Risk Management Units (RMUs) are all distinct operational teams within policing and Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) are an important tool, we recognise that they should operate as part of a coherent system. The NCVPP helps bring together learning, guidance and best practice to improve the consistency and quality of the policing response to VAWG and public protection harms. As part of this, the NCVPP is taking forward work in a number of areas linked to risk assessment, offender management, safeguarding and protection orders including:”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Develop and maintain Authorised Professional Practice providing national expectations for identifying risk, safeguarding victims and pursuing offenders.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Government also works closely with the College of Policing to develop and maintain its Authorised Professional Practice (APP), which sets out national guidance and clear expectations for how forces identify risk, safeguard victims and pursue offenders.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consult with partners on whether to amend the government definition and guidance on child sexual exploitation.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Department for Education, in collaboration with the Home Office, are currently consulting on whether to amend the government definition and guidance on child sexual exploitation, working closely with partners including law enforcement, children’s safeguarding and policing.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Strengthen protection-order data recording and quality by issuing clear instructions to police forces on data entry and maintenance.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While Protective Order Enforcement Teams (POETs), Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPSTs) and Risk Management Units (RMUs) are all distinct operational teams within policing and Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) are an important tool, we recognise that they should operate as part of a coherent system. The NCVPP helps bring together learning, guidance and best practice to improve the consistency and quality of the policing response to VAWG and public protection harms. As part of this, the NCVPP is taking forward work in a number of areas linked to risk assessment, offender management, safeguarding and protection orders including:”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Fund the TOEX Programme to use data and analytics to identify exploitation patterns, link offending and connect intelligence across forces.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Taskforce works closely with the Home Office funded Tackling Organised Exploitation (TOEX) Programme, which uses data and analytics to identify patterns of exploitation, link offending across force boundaries, and help police better connect intelligence so that risks to children are recognised and acted on more effectively. The Home Office is investing £10.7 million in the TOEX Programme in 2026/27.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Improve risk-assessment practice by publishing secondary-risk-assessment guidance and strengthening information-sharing arrangements.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While Protective Order Enforcement Teams (POETs), Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPSTs) and Risk Management Units (RMUs) are all distinct operational teams within policing and Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) are an important tool, we recognise that they should operate as part of a coherent system. The NCVPP helps bring together learning, guidance and best practice to improve the consistency and quality of the policing response to VAWG and public protection harms. As part of this, the NCVPP is taking forward work in a number of areas linked to risk assessment, offender management, safeguarding and protection orders including:”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Work with national policing partners and support programmes that strengthen child-sexual-exploitation policing across England and Wales.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We are working with national policing partners to strengthen the response to child sexual exploitation, including group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation, by supporting programmes that improve the policing response across England and Wales. The Government has established the national policing operation into group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse, Operation Beaconport, backed by almost £38 million, to improve policing’s ability to investigate group-based offending, ensuring a consistent response wherever abuse is reported and better, trauma-informed support for victims and survivors.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Support establishment of Stalking Protection Order intensification sites in selected police forces.

Verbatim wording from the response

“While Protective Order Enforcement Teams (POETs), Domestic Abuse Problem Solving Teams (DAPSTs) and Risk Management Units (RMUs) are all distinct operational teams within policing and Violent Offender Orders (VOOs) are an important tool, we recognise that they should operate as part of a coherent system. The NCVPP helps bring together learning, guidance and best practice to improve the consistency and quality of the policing response to VAWG and public protection harms. As part of this, the NCVPP is taking forward work in a number of areas linked to risk assessment, offender management, safeguarding and protection orders including:”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Fund the CSE Taskforce to provide complex-investigation support, peer reviews, training, operational advice and national guidance products.

Verbatim wording from the response

“This year the Home Office is providing £6.1 million in funding to the CSE Taskforce, part of the Hydrant Programme, which was established in 2023 to strengthen the policing response to child sexual exploitation, including group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse. The Taskforce supports police forces through complex investigations, peer reviews, training and operational advice, helping to build capability and improve investigative practice. It also contributes to the development of national policing guidance and training products, including the Authorised Professional Practice (APP).”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Fund the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection to provide national leadership and improve public-protection policing practice.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The Home Office also funds the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP), launched in April 2025, to provide national leadership and improve professional practice in the policing response to violence against women and girls, child sexual abuse and wider public protection offences. The Centre is intended to place victims’ experiences at the heart of police investigations, deliver improved training”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Deliver a cross-government approach to halve violence against women and girls over a decade under the VAWG Strategy.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Tackling domestic abuse, child sexual exploitation and abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this government and we will treat it as the national emergency that it is. We are working to deliver a cross-government transformative approach to halve VAWG in a decade, underpinned by the new VAWG Strategy.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 1 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Share child-exploitation learning and promote multi-agency working through force reviews, practitioner networks and safeguarding-partner engagement.

Verbatim wording from the response

“In addition, the Taskforce helps to share learning and promote effective multi-agency working. Through force reviews, practitioner networks and engagement with safeguarding partners, it supports local areas to improve the identification of risk, information sharing, offender disruption and the safeguarding of children, recognising that tackling CSE requires a coordinated response across agencies.”

Source location

Response from Home Office
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Publish transitional safeguarding guidance for adult social work, addressing young people’s transition from adolescence into adulthood.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) published an independent Bridging the Gap briefing setting out the importance of transitional safeguarding within adult social work in 2021. This briefing focuses on safeguarding young people journeying from adolescence into adulthood, particularly on sexual and criminal exploitation, to help prevent instances of sexual exploitation in adulthood.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Review care leaver deaths to identify safeguarding themes and lessons for future policy and operational practice.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• The Department is currently undertaking a review of care leaver deaths, as announced in Spring 2026, which is expected to consider safeguarding-related issues and identify any relevant themes or lessons. We will use the findings from this work to inform future policy development and operational practice, including consideration of whether additional safeguarding arrangements or dedicated structures for adults should be introduced.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Establish a duty for local authorities to provide Staying Close support to care leavers until age 25.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• More broadly, we are already strengthening support for care leavers through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026), including a new duty on local authorities to provide Staying Close support to age 25.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Consult on and revise the statutory framework for children’s help, support and protection, including guidance and policy for multi-agency child protection teams.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• As government continues to make significant reforms to children’s social care, including through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, we are consulting on updating the statutory framework for help, support and protection for children and their families. This will form revisions to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 (Working Together), the Children’s Social Care National Framework 2026 (the National Framework) statutory guidance, and policy that will underpin the development of the MACPT regulations.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 3 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Introduce community-based Family Help and multi-agency child protection teams through the Families First Partnership programme.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• This government is supporting vulnerable children and their families, including those where domestic abuse is a factor, by intervening at the earliest opportunity through the Families First Partnership programme. Through this programme, which is supported by £2.4bn over the next three years, community based multi-disciplinary Family Help and multi-agency child protection teams are being introduced to help, support and protect children and their families.”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Develop best-practice principles and training materials to improve transitions into adult social care.

Verbatim wording from the response

“• In March 2026, DHSC launched an 11-month project, with the Department for Education (DfE), Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) and Skills for Care (SfC) to develop practical materials to improve transitions into adult social care. The project will deliver a set of best practice principles for good transitions, together with bespoke training materials for social workers and social care leaders to help ensure they have the knowledge and tools”

Source location

Response from Department for Education
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Conduct an urgent review of the College of Policing Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We have taken an urgent review of the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice that is currently out for consultation through the College of Policing. There is much within the draft APP that aligns with transitional safeguarding principles, particularly its emphasis on vulnerability, exploitation, coercion and control, trauma informed practice, professional curiosity, information sharing and avoiding victim blaming. However a gap has been identified relating to transition to adulthood, and we have requested that additional wording is included. You can find the consultation here until 4th August 2026: Child abuse APP – have your say | College of Policing.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 6 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Use national self-assessment activity to help forces and safeguarding partners evaluate child sexual exploitation responses and identify improvement areas.

Verbatim wording from the response

“Alongside this, national disruption guidance and learning produced through the CSE Taskforce, Hydrant Programme and partners has sought to address one of the key findings of the DHR: the need to move beyond managing victims alone and place greater emphasis on identifying, disrupting and managing perpetrators and exploitation networks. National learning has promoted disruption as a safeguarding intervention, strengthened multi-agency approaches to exploitation through MACE arrangements, and reinforced the importance of linking missing person activity, contextual safeguarding and perpetrator management to achieve earlier intervention and improved safeguarding outcomes. National self-assessment activity has also supported forces and safeguarding partners to evaluate their response to child sexual exploitation and identify areas for improvement.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 4 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent action was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

Request additional transition-to-adulthood wording in the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice.

Verbatim wording from the response

“We have taken an urgent review of the Child Abuse Authorised Professional Practice that is currently out for consultation through the College of Policing. There is much within the draft APP that aligns with transitional safeguarding principles, particularly its emphasis on vulnerability, exploitation, coercion and control, trauma informed practice, professional curiosity, information sharing and avoiding victim blaming. However a gap has been identified relating to transition to adulthood, and we have requested that additional wording is included. You can find the consultation here until 4th August 2026: Child abuse APP – have your say | College of Policing.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 6 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response

Source evidence

How this respondent position was interpreted

PFD Monitor created a concise, searchable interpretation from the published response wording shown below.

PFD Monitor interpretation

The principal safeguarding problem was ineffective coordination between existing structures, not the absence of safeguarding structures.

Verbatim wording from the response

“The review found that extensive safeguarding activity was undertaken and that agencies recognised both Natasha's vulnerability and the risk posed by the perpetrator. However, the evidence suggests that safeguarding arrangements were fragmented rather than integrated. While MACE, MARAC and MAPPA processes were all engaged, there was limited coordination between these forums and no single mechanism that retained oversight of the cumulative and escalating risk presented to Natasha. Viewed against the statutory expectations operating at the time, the principal issue therefore does not appear to be the absence of safeguarding structures, but rather the effectiveness with which those structures were connected.”

Source location

Response from NPCC
Page 2 · response
Published 14 August 2026

Open published response
Back to top

Information checked against the published report and official responses · Data reviewed 7 Sep 2026 · About data quality and limitations

Data last updated 7 September 2026