AN ALLEGATION of child sexual exploitation was not investigated by police, an inspection into abuse in Wokingham has found.

One of the first thorough child abuse and neglect reports of its kind, the Joint Targeted Area Inspection (JTAI) took an in-depth look at the response of multiple agencies in Wokingham Borough to abuse and neglect.

The report published on July 14 found delays within investigations and, in one case, a failure to investigate an allegation of child sexual exploitation.

Meanwhile, another police investigation was closed without informing partner agencies who continued to make plans around the family.

The inspection also found several occasions when police officers did not properly investigate concerns about adults who were linked to children experiencing neglect.

The most significant areas in need of improvement were found at the early stages of assessment, when agencies are first made aware of children at risk of neglect.

The report states: "There is a lack of management oversight and joint ownership of responsibility in partnership working to ensure that situations of neglect improve with sufficient urgency and to meet children’s timescales for change.

"Where there is evidence of supervision and management oversight in cases, there is a lack of evidence of challenge when progress for children is not made."

Despite the damning criticisms, the report also found a number of areas of improvement in preventing child abuse and neglect in the borough.

The inspection found the partnership to be well-established and focused on driving improvements. The ‘hidden nature’ of neglect in a relatively affluent area was also seen to be understood by social workers.

Designated professionals were found to provide strong leadership, with evidence of skilled partnership work across agencies. Leaders were also found to be ambitious for children and prioritise their needs.

The JTAI also commended a GP for their work recognising neglect and making referrals.

Fran Gosling-Thomas, independent chair of Wokingham's Safeguarding Children Board, said: “The timing of this inspection was very helpful, given that tackling neglect is one of our top priorities this year.

"I am very pleased that the strength of our partnership working and quality of support for children was recognised. The recommendations in the report will be very helpful to us as we drive implementation of our multi-agency neglect strategy.”

Thames Valley Police have been contacted for comment.