Status of all recommendations

Develop a national definition of what constitutes group based child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) and child criminal exploitation (CCE).

Update National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland to include the new national definition of what constitutes group-based harms, supported by enhanced child protection guidance and nationally agreed key indicators of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation and child criminal exploitation.

Implement standardised data collection on group-based harms with consistent reporting requirements in order to strengthen approaches. This includes identification, categorisation, prevalence, scale and trend analysis to support strategic scrutiny at both local and national levels.

Evaluate existing learning to ensure that it consistently covers group-based harms as part of public protection arrangements.

Develop and embed robust national arrangements to support the consistent and comprehensive collection and sharing of information and data on the prevalence of group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation and child criminal exploitation.

Custody operating model and workforce resilience
Police Scotland should, as a matter of priority, develop and implement a revised custody operating model that is aligned to current and projected demand, and supported by a robust workforce strategy. This should include a detailed analysis of estate resilience, staffing requirements, improved resource deployment, and measures to support staff wellbeing and sustainability across the custody estate.

Governance, oversight and delivery of improvement

Police Scotland should strengthen governance, audit and assurance arrangements to ensure consistent and effective oversight and delivery of custody inspection recommendations. This should include improved evaluation of the impact of changes and mechanisms to ensure learning is embedded consistently across all custody centres.