A CHILDREN’S boss said child sexual exploitation has been an “extraordinary story” as councillors were updated about efforts to tackle abuse.

Director for children, education and families Jim Leiver said Oxford has been “dominated” by child sexual exploitation over the past year.

He spoke as the cabinet yesterday welcomed a report about tackling child sexual exploitation.

Councillors met at County Hall, in New Road, where they discussed Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board’s report into the work of its child sexual exploitation sub-group. The report praised the work of the Kingfisher Team, a joint initiative between the council and Thames Valley Police, which handled 153 referrals in 2013/14, the first full financial year in which it was in operation.

It said: “Staff are consciously persistent and seek to build very strong relationships with young people. The team has also developed very strong relationships with other agencies... to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation, the potential warning signs and ensure that staff know what to do if concerned.”

The report came after seven Oxford men were jailed at the Old Bailey last year for a total of 95 years for sex crimes against young girls.

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