Statement following HMIC Inspection into Child Protection

We’ve welcomed the findings of an independent inspection into how we protect children across Greater Manchester, which has found us to be good or adequate in all areas.

The National Child Protection Inspection was conducted by His Majesty’s Inspectorate for Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in July and August 2024.

Its report, released today (13 December 2024), found us to be ‘good’ in two areas and ‘adequate’ in three. They were:

• Leadership of child protection arrangements (good)
• Working with safeguarding partners (good)
• Responding to children at risk (adequate)
• Assessing the risk to children and making appropriate referrals (adequate)
• Investigating reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (adequate)

HMICFRS particularly recognised areas of good practice that represents a GMP today that has protecting children as a priority, puts victims at the heart of all that we do, works with partners to safeguard children, and has a well-trained, talented workforce that specialises in this space.

The feedback from HMICFRS around areas for improvement will be a key part of our continuing progress in our service to victims, survivors, and vulnerable people.

Chief Constable Stephen Watson, said: “This report recognises that the GMP of today is one that affords child protection the priority that it deserves; it puts victims at the heart of what we do; it works effectively with partners to safeguard children, and it has developed a well-trained, committed, and determined workforce that specialises in this work.

“What remains of the utmost importance however is that victims, survivors, and vulnerable people receive a first-class response every time. In this I recognise that we still have further improvements to make. HMIC make helpful recommendations in this regard which we have readily embraced and have already acted upon.

"The protection of our children will remain a key priority for GMP, and I am determined that we, together with our partners, will continue to work hard at getting better – those most vulnerable in our communities deserve nothing less.”