National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group minutes: June 2026

Attendees and apologies

Chair

• Iona Colvin, Independent Chair

Group members in attendance

• Alison McIntyre, Assistant Director - Children's Services, Barnardo’s
• Catriona Scobbie, Safeguarding Lead Officer, Education Scotland
• Deirdre McCormick, Chief Nurse and Head of Public Protection, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• Doug Marshall, Senior Impact Lead, Childlight
• DCS Sarah Taylor, Head of Public Protection, Police Scotland
• DSI Brian Manchester, Police Scotland
• Fiona Dyer, Director, Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice
• Ian Donaldson, Deputy Director Children’s Rights, Protection and Justice, Scottish Government
• Jane Scott, Head of Early Help and Protection, Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection (CELCIS)
• Jennifer Crockett, Chief Education Officer, Argyll & Bute (ADES)
• Jillian Ingram, COSLA, Children and Young People Team
• Jillian Taylor, Child Health Commissioner & Chief Nurse, NHS Forth Valley
• Joanna Macdonald, Chief Executive, National Social Work Agency and Chief Social Work Adviser, Scottish Government
• Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, NSPCC Scotland
• Lucy Coleman, Chair, National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse (NOTA) Scotland
• Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive, Children First
• Michelle McCargo, Renfrewshire Council, Social Work Scotland, Social Work Scotland
• Moira McKinnon, Vice Chair, Child Protection Committee Scotland (CPC Scotland)
• Rhona Robb, Scottish Nursing Child Protection Leadership Group
• Roma Bruce-Davies, title Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA)
• Ryan McGuigg, Action for Children
• Samantha Pearce, Ofcom
• Sharon Glasgow, Protecting Children Social Work Policy & Practice Advisor, Social Work Scotland
• Stuart Allardyce, Director of Lucy Faithful Foundation Scotland
• Susan Dickson, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Yvonne Friel, Health Improvement Manager, Public Health Scotland

Apologies

• Alison Wales, Senior Policy Officer, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) Scotland
• Glenn Preston, Scotland Director, Ofcom
• Jennifer McGill, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (Child Protection Sub Committee)
• Kathryn Lindsay, Chief Executive, Angus Council, SOLACE representative
• Laura Bradley, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
• Laura Caven, Chief Officer, Children and Young People, COSLA
• Lesley Gordon, Action for Children
• Nicola Dickie, Director of People Policy, COSLA

Also in attendance

• Alistair McAlpine, Data Short Life Working Group Chair, Chief Statistician, Scottish Government 
• Ariane Critchley, Mandatory Reporting Task and Finish Group Chair
• Scottish Government officials

Secretariat

• Child Protection Unit, Scottish Government
   

Items and actions

Welcome, introductions and apologies

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting, outlined her role as independent Chair and declared her relevant interests.

The Chair noted changes in membership and welcomed new attendees. Thanks were recorded to outgoing members for their contribution to the group.

Minutes of previous meeting and actions arising

The minute of the meeting held on 5 March 2026 had been agreed and published. All actions from the previous meeting had been completed. There was an action to consider the group's approach to survivor engagement. A paper has been tabled to the group on survivor engagement for consideration as part of the priorities discussion.

Strategic context and update

The Chair provided an overview of key developments since the previous meeting. These included the establishment of a statutory inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse, continued progress towards the development of a Truth Project to support survivors, and the ongoing inspectorate-led National Review, with phase one reporting expected at the end of the summer 2026. The recent Glasgow Child Protection Committee ‘Family C’ Learning Review was also noted given its relevance to child protection improvement. The Chair also noted recent changes in ministerial responsibilities and emerging developments at UK level, including the announcement of the under-16 social media ban.

Members reflected on the increasing complexity of the landscape, noting the number of overlapping inquiries, reviews and policy initiatives. It was recognised that this creates a risk of duplication and confusion, particularly for survivors and practitioners engaging with different processes. Members emphasised the importance of providing clarity about the purpose and remit of each strand of work.

In discussion, members highlighted the need to ensure that the current focus on group-based offending does not obscure the broader context of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including familial abuse and other more prevalent forms of harm. It was noted that the distribution of attention and resource should reflect the wider nature of the problem. Members further emphasised the importance of maintaining a focus on prevention and on improving outcomes for children and young people in the present, alongside learning from historical cases and reviews.

Members also reflected on the interconnected nature of harms, including the links between sexual abuse, neglect and domestic abuse, and the implications of recent learning reviews. The importance of clear communications was emphasised, particularly in ensuring that survivors are supported to understand how and where to engage. The wider political and media context was also noted, including the potential impact on the group’s work.

Strategic priorities discussion

The Chair introduced an initial discussion on the group’s future priorities, noting that this would be the start of a wider process over the summer period. Members agreed that the group’s existing priority areas remain broadly relevant; however, it was recognised that these require refinement in light of the current context.

In particular, members agreed on the need to focus more clearly on what is achievable within a defined timeframe and to ensure that priorities are aligned with wider national activity and available resources. It was further agreed that the group should maintain a clear strategic focus, providing advice to Ministers and helping to shape the overall direction of work across the system, rather than seeking to deliver all elements directly.

There was broad agreement that the group should identify priorities for the coming period and ensure that these are supported by a clear plan for delivery and implementation. Members supported the proposal to convene a longer, in-person meeting in early autumn to agree refreshed priorities and next steps.

Subgroup updates

The Data Subgroup provided an update on its ongoing work to improve understanding of the scale and nature of child sexual abuse and exploitation. This included work to identify and map available data sources, considering both reported and unreported harm, and working with partners to address gaps in evidence. The importance of aligning this work with other national data initiatives and focusing on deliverable outputs was noted.

The Mandatory Reporting Subgroup reported that it had made progress in developing its work programme and approaches. Early discussions had highlighted a shared view that any system of mandatory reporting must be accompanied by appropriate resources if it is to improve outcomes for children and young people. The subgroup is planning a programme of consultation with survivors, young people and wider stakeholders and is engaging with international evidence. Draft findings are expected by the end of 2026, with a final report anticipated in early 2027.

The Workforce Development Subgroup presented its stage two report, including a set of proposals focused on strengthening responses to child sexual abuse and exploitation. These include a shift towards indicator-led responses, development of a national competency framework, strengthening of reflective supervision, enhancing the voice of the child, improving education on healthy sexual development, strengthening leadership visibility and adopting a public health approach.

Members welcomed the report and its evidence base, noting that the findings extend beyond workforce development and point towards wider system change. The need for careful sequencing and coordination with other workstreams was highlighted, as well as the importance of ensuring that any new guidance or frameworks are implemented effectively in practice. Members emphasised that the focus should be on achieving meaningful change, rather than simply producing additional guidance.

Members emphasised the need for a coherent, whole-system approach that brings together different strands of activity. The importance of prevention, recovery and survivor support was a consistent theme, as was the recognition that current levels of strategic attention and resource are not sufficient to address the scale and complexity of harm.

Members highlighted the importance of supporting implementation, including through workforce support, supervision and system leadership. There was also recognition of the need for clear alignment between the group’s work and wider national structures and initiatives, including public protection arrangements and public health approaches.

Governance

The Chair noted the importance of clarifying the group’s role and remit within the wider national landscape and ensuring that its work is aligned with other groups and programmes. Members agreed that further work is required to map these relationships and to ensure a clear and coherent approach.

Next steps

The group agreed to continue engagement over the summer to inform the development of refreshed priorities. An extended in-person meeting will be arranged for early autumn to agree priorities, sequencing and next steps. It was also agreed that feedback should be provided to those who have contributed to subgroup work, recognising the importance of maintaining engagement with stakeholders.

Actions

• Ofcom to provide written update on work relating to Online Safety Act and how this relates to Child Sexual Exploitation
• The Secretariat will arrange an extended in-person meeting for early autumn 2026 to set the Group’s strategic priorities 
• Chair to meet with group members and stakeholders to inform priorities over the summer
• Group to provide comments on Terms of Reference and ways of working