The Special Police and Crime Panel is scheduled to receive an update on the findings of the HMICFRS National Child Protection Inspection and Durham Constabulary's progress in addressing identified areas for improvement. The panel will also consider how the Police and Crime Commissioner is holding the Chief Constable to account for delivering effective safeguarding for children and young people.

HMICFRS National Child Protection Inspection Update

A key item scheduled for discussion is an update on the findings of the HMICFRS National Child Protection Inspection of Durham Constabulary, which was published in May 2026. The report pack indicates that the inspection identified strengths in safeguarding vulnerable children and partnership working, but also highlighted four Areas for Improvement. These areas relate to risk management, exploitation recording, perpetrator management, and workforce capability.

Durham Constabulary has reportedly accepted all findings and implemented an improvement programme. The Police and Crime Commissioner, whose role involves holding the Chief Constable to account, monitors this progress. The panel is recommended to note the inspection findings and the progress made by Durham Constabulary in addressing the identified areas for improvement. They are also scheduled to receive a presentation from the Police and Crime Commissioner and will have the opportunity to question them on the governance, scrutiny, and assurance arrangements in place.

The report pack details that the HMICFRS inspection provided graded judgements across several areas. Durham Constabulary received a Good rating for Responding to Children at Risk of Harm and Working with Safeguarding Partners. However, Leadership of Child Protection Arrangements and Risk Assessment and Referrals were rated as Adequate, while Investigating Child Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation was graded as Requires Improvement. The report pack also includes a national overview of graded judgements for other police forces, allowing for comparison.

The report pack outlines Durham Constabulary's Improvement Plan, which focuses on four strategic priorities: better data and insight, stronger operational practice, workforce capability, and child-centred practice. Progress is reported as significant in managing risk and resources, exploitation recording, and skills and capability, with good progress noted in managing perpetrators, although further work is ongoing.

The Police and Crime Commissioner's oversight and accountability mechanisms are also detailed. These include weekly and monthly meetings with the Chief Constable, independent scrutiny by HMICFRS, publication of quarterly performance updates, public accountability meetings, and attendance at strategic and operational force meetings. The report pack also mentions the support provided for investment in safeguarding and specialist capability, the implementation of the NICHE intelligence and investigations system, and the promotion of national learning and best practice.

Furthermore, the report pack includes a section on A Call For Collective Action - Unregistered and Unregulated Children's Homes, which supports calls for stronger local and national oversight and regulation to mitigate the impact of such homes on vulnerable children and public services.

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the Committee Room - The Light on Monday 2 November 2026 at 1:30 pm. The attendees include members from Durham County Council and Darlington Borough Council, as well as independent co-opted members. The report pack can be accessed via the Public reports pack Monday 02-Nov-2026 13.30 Police and Crime Panel.pdf link. The agenda for the meeting is available at Agenda frontsheet Monday 02-Nov-2026 13.30 Police and Crime Panel.pdf.