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Telford and Wrekin Joint CSE 2026 Annual Report

“Our work to protect children from sexual exploitation will never stop,” says Council Leader

Published on: 9 July 2026
An aerial photo of Telford & Wrekin Council's SW1 building in the sunshine with a lake behind

Telford & Wrekin Council will issue its fourth annual report into Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) at a meeting of Full Council on Thursday 16 July, presenting progress to date, including the development of more streamlined and joined-up multi-agency pathways towards support, enabling further improvements in the Borough’s approach to tackling the crime.

The annual report, which was a recommendation of the Independent Inquiry into Telford Child Sexual Exploitation (IITCSE), outlines the work of the Council, Police, the Police and Crime Commissioner and health leaders.

The joint report helps partner organisations’ understanding of CSE within the Borough and sets out their ongoing response to it.

The Council, which was recognised last year at the public sector Municipal Journal awards for delivering better outcomes in relation to its CSE work, is one of the only authorities in in the country to report on CSE annually.

Its 2026 report notes that work to improve the quality of information coming into its Family Connect team is enabling better decision making and earlier interventions, as the organisation continues to strengthen its approach to tackling child sexual exploitation while also supporting local partner organisations to make improvements.

This improved information informs actions held within the report which include recommendations for partners in the police and NHS around their recording and reporting processes as well as continued communications with practitioners and the public to ensure awareness of this crime and support further reporting in the future.

Cllr Lee Carter, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said:

“Our work to protect children from sexual exploitation will never stop.

“We continue to work tirelessly in this area, both within our organisation and with partner agencies, enabling greater awareness amongst practitioners and the public, and encouraging better information gathering and sharing – in line with Baroness Casey’s recommendations at national level – to help us best support our Borough’s children.

“The insight we gain from producing an annual joint report is proving invaluable. It helps us identify where we, or our partners, can be doing better, and ensures resources are targeted to areas where they are needed most as we continuously refine our approach to preventing this horrific crime.”

Cllr Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Education, Employment & Skills, said:

“Protecting children and young people is the most important thing we do. I thank our teams for their dedication and commitment to continuous improvement.

“Within education, I welcome the enhancement of core training aligned to emerging local and national intelligence for all staff across Early Years Foundation Stage and post-16 settings, which has further strengthened our Borough’s strategic approach to CSE.”

In addition to its local annual reporting process, Telford & Wrekin Council is also committed to providing evidence and playing its full part in the national statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs to tackle this issue and share best practice with other towns and cities.