Supporting child protection
and abuse investigation
About the
Hydrant Programme
The Hydrant Programme is a national policing programme supporting the work of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Child Protection and Abuse Investigation Working Group. Originally established in 2014 to coordinate the response to non-recent child sexual abuse, but now supporting forces across all child protection and abuse investigation issues.
Hydrant develops policy and strategy on behalf of the NPCC, develops and delivers best practice advice including a learning, review and improvement function, provides a strategic analysis capability and partnership engagement with key stakeholders and partners.
What we offer
A Peer Review, Peer Support, CPD and Debrief function working across all elements of child abuse and child protection, which forces can access at no cost.
A Partnership Hub which supports key stakeholders and organisations with operational child protection and safeguarding issues.
An Analysis and Research Team who work in collaboration with the Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme and the National Crime Agency to enhance understanding of the prevalence of child sexual abuse and exploitation and the risk and harm it presents. The aim of this is to address identified gaps in policing’s national capability highlighted by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and others.
A Communications Team with the ability to coordinate issues of national operational criticality within the vulnerability portfolio when this is appropriate, for example policing’s response to incidents like the Everyone’s Invited movement and the football abuse scandal.
News & events
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8th Apr 2025
CSE Taskforce responds to the statement made, by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation.Following the statement made today, Tuesday 8 April, by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation, the CSE Taskforce welcomes the Government's continued focus and investment in this area, particularly, the additional funding for therapeutic treatment for victims and survivors, as well as the progress on recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
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1st Apr 2025
Becky Riggs: Reflections of quarter one for The Child Protection and Abuse Investigation Portfolio (CPAI)The beginning of 2025 has been a pivotal time for the Child Protection and Abuse Investigation (CPAI) portfolio, as it experienced a phenomenal surge in media attention which as always increases demands on our teams and partner agencies.
Whilst the impact and subsequent waves were large we did receive promising news which included a series of measures including an increase in funding allowing us to expand our efforts further.
Behind the scenes, a great deal of work has been taking place, and the effects of these efforts will be seen over the coming months and years. While some of the work will take time to fully implement, we are already seeing the beginnings of progress, and so I want to share this progress with you.
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1st Apr 2025
The Hydrant Programme transitions to NPCC Strategic HubFrom Tuesday 1 April the Hydrant Programme and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce will join the National Police Chiefs’ Council Strategic Hub.
-
8th Apr 2025
CSE Taskforce responds to the statement made, by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation.Following the statement made today, Tuesday 8 April, by Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP regarding child sexual abuse and exploitation, the CSE Taskforce welcomes the Government's continued focus and investment in this area, particularly, the additional funding for therapeutic treatment for victims and survivors, as well as the progress on recommendations from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).
-
1st Apr 2025
Becky Riggs: Reflections of quarter one for The Child Protection and Abuse Investigation Portfolio (CPAI)The beginning of 2025 has been a pivotal time for the Child Protection and Abuse Investigation (CPAI) portfolio, as it experienced a phenomenal surge in media attention which as always increases demands on our teams and partner agencies.
Whilst the impact and subsequent waves were large we did receive promising news which included a series of measures including an increase in funding allowing us to expand our efforts further.
Behind the scenes, a great deal of work has been taking place, and the effects of these efforts will be seen over the coming months and years. While some of the work will take time to fully implement, we are already seeing the beginnings of progress, and so I want to share this progress with you.
-
1st Apr 2025
The Hydrant Programme transitions to NPCC Strategic HubFrom Tuesday 1 April the Hydrant Programme and Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Taskforce will join the National Police Chiefs’ Council Strategic Hub.
