Grooming gang monsters and their relatives could be exploiting a devastating child protection loophole that would give them “complete, unfettered access” to vulnerable young girls. A Daily Express investigation has found how an anomaly in the law allows unregistered providers to operate on a short-term basis, charging local authorities thousands of pounds per week with zero regulatory oversight.

Paul O’Rourke, managing director of Next Stage Youth Development who provide care solutions for young people across the North West and West Yorkshire, says he has little doubt the glaring loophole is being exposed by “relentless gangs” who he warns will stop at nothing to gain access to their victims. Yesterday the Express revealed how family members and associates of convicted sex gang members have been caught applying for jobs at social care charities and organisations where their aim is to not only “threaten and intimidate” victims into silence – but also “get the girls back” into the evil clutches of the gangs.

This cycling of vulnerable children between unvetted properties allows providers to operate completely outside the law. It means no one checks the staff, their training, or their suitability, making it easy for predatory individuals to gain employment or even set up their own care providing business.

“It could be like a game of tennis, with a child going back and forth between two different houses without any safety checks being needed,” warned the whistleblower.

Meanwhile these unregistered homes are charging desperate local authorities “six, seven, eight grand a week” to look after a single child.

“I can’t believe there’s a 28-day gap in [the law]… and it’s been there since the year 2000. It’s outrageous,” O’Rourke added.

He says there must be swift action to amend the law so that any placement, regardless of length, requires regulation.

O’Rourke, who has over two decades experience working in the sector, believes a recruitment crisis in social care is adding to the danger for vulnerable children find.

He said: “These attempts at infiltration are compounded by a severe staffing crisis in the care sector. “Desperate providers, struggling to fill positions, are more likely to have lower vigilance when vetting candidates. When you’re desperate for a staff member, you might not take all the steps you need.

“If I got your application form, and there were gaps in your employment, I’ve got to take the time to find all the reasons for the gaps… For us, we don’t mess about with that. We will qualify every part of their working history. But that’s not the case everywhere.”

To solve the crisis, O’Rourke believes two major reforms are needed. Firstly instead of the current requirement for standard DBS check, he believes a professional ‘passport’ for care workers – similar to the enhanced digital checks used for travel – would increase vetting standards and instantly professionalise the role.

And he suggests schools should become “super hubs,” staffed with nurses, social workers, and youth workers, as they have the most frequent contact with young people when things go wrong.

He said: “We also know that across the spectrum, preventing it is a million times cheaper than dealing with it when it’s gone off. Having trained people in every school to identify and tackle problems at source would go a long way towards addressing the problem.”