NSPCC pinpoints gaps in services

Many children and young people who display
sexually harmful behaviour are not receiving support because of
unclear government policies, sporadic services and the lack of a
national strategy.

In a
report into available treatment, the NSPCC highlights particular
problems with the way different government agencies and social
services departments deal with young sex offenders.

It
says some agencies pursue the criminal justice system path, which
results in the child or young person having to register with the
Sexual Offences Register. Others take a child protection approach,
where no record of a case dealt with by social services may be
kept.

The
NSPCC report says there is little evaluation of services, poor
access to specialist treatment, and a lack of age-appropriate
assessments which balance the needs of the child with the risks
they pose.

–
I Think I Might Need Some More Help With This Problem is
available from infounit@nspcc.org.uk