BETTER communication with councillors is among recommendations in a review of Oxfordshire County Council’s policies for keeping children safe from abuse.

The council’s director for children, education and families, Jim Leivers, should consider better communication, said the report drawn up by an advisory group of seven councillors, chaired by the cabinet member for children, education and families, Melinda Tilley.

A training session on the issue for councillors and twice-yearly briefings from the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board are also recommended.

Last year, seven men arrested by Thames Valley Police during its Operation Bullfinch investigation were jailed for a total 95 years for grooming and abusing girls who were in care.

The review examined issues like the council’s legal duties and the current procedures for protecting children.

Mrs Tilley said: “These recommendations are intended to complement and strengthen existing arrangements, rather than replace or subsume them.”

The report’s recommendations will be discussed by the cabinet at County Hall in Oxford at 2pm on Tuesday next week.