THE volume of child protection cases being reported to Cleveland Police has left the force struggling to cope, according to an independent report.

Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HMI Probation (HMIP) carried out a joint inspection of the multi-agency response to abuse and neglect in Stockton, between November 20 and November 24 last year.

Inspectors raised concerns about how Cleveland Police is managing demand linked to vulnerability and recommended that the force should ensure staffing levels in the protecting vulnerable people support team remain appropriate to demand.

However, the force was praised for investing £2 million of additional funding provided by the police and crime commissioner to increase resources in specialist teams, including those responsible for delivering child protection.

The report reads: "While it is positive that Cleveland police have developed additional training for officers, inspectors found that inconsistencies remain in the quality of child safeguarding decision-making at the frontline, including when children are suffering from neglect.

"Incidents are often dealt with in isolation rather than consideration being given to the previous history of incidents and the wider context of the children’s vulnerability. Further action is needed to ensure that officers consistently recognise children in need of intervention."

Adding: "Cleveland police are experiencing difficulties in managing demand linked to vulnerability and in the protection of children in particular."

Specialist Crime Detective Superintendent Anne-Marie Salwey said: “Cleveland Police is committed to protecting children from harm and the recent inspection recognises the increasing effective arrangements with partners to tackle abuse and neglect and enhance the outcomes for children.

“Inspectors recognised the effective approach of our Vulnerable, Exploited, Missing and Trafficked (VEMT) partnership structure and highlighted the strong drive to enhance working practices across the partnership is strengthening the force’s ability to manage demand and risk more effectively.

“The report recognised our focus on continuous improvement and we will continue to work with partners in health, social care, probation and the local authority to progress the recommendations.”