Children at risk of exploitation includes information on child sexual exploitation, trafficking and county lines.
Child exploitation
There are similarities between different forms of exploitation, and the criminal and sexual exploitation of children may overlap.
Catch-22 - Five ways that parents can protect their children
Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
In cases of suspected or actual child sexual exploitation, safeguarding procedures must be implemented and a referral made to social care in order to safeguard them from further or future harm. Further information is available from the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures.
Child criminal exploitation (CCE)
Catch-22 - Child criminal exploitation (CCE)
County lines
County lines is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in illegal activity around UK. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store the drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.
Catch-22: County Lines
Useful information on county lines can also be found on the Safer Derbyshire website.
The Children's Society has useful videos, tools and information to assist schools in developing their awareness.
Female genital mutilation, forced marriage and breast ironing
You can find documents that raise awareness of FGM and provide advice on preventative measures on the GOV.UK website.
The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership procedure manual has relevant chapters on safeguarding children at risk of abuse through female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
National FGM Centre provides further guidance for schools and colleges.
Modern slavery
Safer Derbyshire has produced guidance in association with Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
The national modern slavery helpline exists for anyone to report and seek advice and support, and also has further useful information on its website.
Additional information and resources
The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership has safeguarding procedures for children in specific circumstances, including a CRE Operational Work Flow.
GOV.UK has produced guidance for frontline professionals on dealing with county lines, which is part of the government's approach to ending gang violence and exploitation.
The Children’s Society has useful videos, tools and information to assist schools in developing awareness, including the Counting Lives research.
Children's Society Look Closer Campaign is about focusing on how public spaces like bus and train stations, fast food outlets, roadside services and hotels may be places where young victims of exploitation could be visible.
More information on how Derby City and Derbyshire County Councils map children at risk of exploitation (CRE) pathways is available in our Safeguarding policies, guidance and protocols webpages.
Local strategy
Operation Liberty has also been updated by Derbyshire police to gather intelligence items, crimes and referrals, where there is an aspect of both child sexual exploitation and/or all forms of exploitation. Practitioners can use the Derby and Derbyshire CRE Operation Liberty form to provide details, however brief, of any concerns:
- Adults who may pose a risk to, or target, groom or exploit children and young people
- When you are aware that a child or young person has been groomed and or exploited
- To provide information on places, locations and circumstances where you believe CRE may be taking place
Derbyshire practitioners use a CRE toolkit to assess a child or young person’s level of risk of sexual exploitation in a quick and consistent manner. This has now been updated and revised to include all forms of possible exploitation, and renamed the CRE toolkit and covers all children and young people under the age of 18 (Children Act 1989) residing in Derbyshire.
The toolkit supports the implementation of the local Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures; in particular children abused through sexual exploitation, criminal gangs or slavery, and safeguarding children who may have been trafficked and children and families who go missing.
This toolkit will support agencies to:
- identify and protect those at risk of being exploited at the earliest opportunity
- take action to promote the welfare of children and young people who are being or may be exploited
- develop local prevention strategies
- take action against those intent on abusing and exploiting children and young people in this way
The toolkit should be used flexibly to take account of each child’s individuality, the uniqueness of their circumstances and the changes that may occur for them over time.
Further resources available to schools and colleges:
The Children's Society has produced the Appropriate language: guidance for professionals document to be used when discussing the exploitation of children and young people.
St Giles Trust is a charity, which uses expertise and real-life experiences to empower people who are not getting the help they need. People held back by poverty, exploited, abused, dealing with addiction or mental health problems, caught up in crime or a combination of these issues and others.
Responding to child sexual abuse and exploitation in the night-time economy - A publication from the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse.
Consent – Cup of Tea an understanding of what consent means.
The NSPCC has a number of suitable resources to help raise awareness. Let’s Talk PANTS is a primary school resource that teaches children important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they're upset or worried.
Barnardo's Wud U? App - Teachers and care professionals may interact with young people who might be at risk of sexual exploitation. These professionals might be interested in this award-winning smartphone app, designed to educate young people.
For Me: the Childline app - 'For Me' is the new app that puts Childline in your pocket. It's free, it's secure and it's designed by young people for young people.
Think you Know - The child exploitation and online protection centre has a wealth of information for all ages, parents and for those working with children - supporting all to deliver education and raise awareness of online child exploitation and abuse.
National Working Group - Helping stop child sexual exploitation and providing free web based services and resources for professionals.
CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection.
Safer Internet UK - The UK Safer Internet Centre has online safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.