More than 60 children receiving support over exploitation risks - Jersey Evening Post
by Christie Bailey · Jersey Evening PostPosted inNews
More than 60 children receiving support over exploitation risks
by Christie Bailey 22 July 202621 July 2026
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DOZENS of children in Jersey are currently receiving support from Children’s Services in relation to exploitation risks, the Children’s Minister has revealed – as pressure mounts for an independent inquiry into child grooming in the Island.
The figure was revealed by Constable Richard Vibert in response to questions from Children, Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel chair Deputy Victoria Li.
It comes less than two weeks after the chair of Jersey’s Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce renewed calls for an independent investigation into the nature and extent of child grooming and exploitation.
Mr Vibert set out the measures in place to protect children at risk of criminal or sexual exploitation, stressing that safeguarding requires a co-ordinated response from Children’s Services, police, schools, health professionals, probation and third-sector organisations.
He explained that children identified as being at risk are supported through the Jersey Child Exploitation Pathway, with referrals accepted from parents, professionals and members of the public.
Cases are assessed according to risk, with those considered at higher risk receiving enhanced safeguarding support and more intensive multi-agency intervention.
The minister confirmed that 63 children were receiving some level of support from Children’s Services in relation to exploitation risks as of 14 July 2026.
“It is important to stress this number varies and does not reflect actual levels of exploitation,” he added. “Our risk assessments take a cautious approach to these matters, as is appropriate.”
Mr Vibert also highlighted work undertaken over the past two years to strengthen the Island’s response – including the creation of an Adolescent Multi-Disciplinary Team in 2025 to support young people facing risks such as criminal and sexual exploitation, going missing, offending behaviour and family breakdown.
He explained that children’s cases are reviewed daily through a Multi-Agency Daily Missing Meeting and monthly by the Multi-Agency Child Exploitation Operational Panel, with a separate quarterly strategic oversight group responsible for identifying trends and implementing Jersey’s child exploitation strategy.
Mr Vibert noted that parents were regarded as “key partners” in safeguarding wherever it was safe and appropriate, and confirmed that a dedicated parent and carer support group had been established.
Plans are also under way to introduce the Risk Outside the Home framework, developed with support from Southampton City Council, to strengthen responses to harm occurring in peer groups, schools, neighbourhoods and online.
Mr Vibert said strengthened multi-agency arrangements had improved information sharing and oversight, with evidence that some children had experienced fewer missing episodes and reduced risks through coordinated intervention.
Families had also provided positive feedback about improvements in their children’s safety and wellbeing, he added.
It comes after Mr Vibert was forced to clarify comments made in the States Assembly that “children were being groomed throughout the Island”, later explaining that he had been referring to “isolated incidents” and stressing that Jersey was “not immune” to exploitation.
Following those remarks, Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce chair Kate Wright called for an independent inquiry, arguing that the new government had an opportunity to demonstrate “what child-centred leadership looks like” by examining the true nature and extent of child grooming and exploitation in Jersey.
Last year, members of a drug syndicate coerced nearly 50 Jersey schoolchildren to deliver almost £2 million worth of drugs around the Island, stuffed in teddy bears and karaoke machines.
Seven youths were prosecuted in the Youth Court, while 43 of the children and teenagers involved were recommended to safeguarding services – using specialised agencies to help them return to a normal life.
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