Exploitation

Historically different forms of exploitation have had different approaches and responses, for example child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, child trafficking. However, this procedure recognises that whilst there are different forms of exploitation, there exists a child who is at risk of and/or subjected to abuse and harm from exploitation. This procedure takes a holistic view of exploitation whilst recognising that it can occur through different forms and often occurs amongst other vulnerabilities that children and young people may be exposed to. In the main this procedure covers the following and should be read in conjunction with the Multi-Agency Child Exploitation Procedures:

Child Sexual Exploitation: is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs when an individual (CSE perpetrator) takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage of increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been exploited even if sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Department for Education (2017).

Child Criminal Exploitation (including County Lines): involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where children receive or are promised 'something' tangible e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, gifts or money or 'something' intangible e.g. affection, respect, status or protection in return for committing a criminal act for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals or be threatened, coerced or intimidated into committing that criminal act (Home Office, 2018).

County Lines: is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas in the UK, using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of 'deal line'. They are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs and money and they will often use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons (Home Office, 2018).

Online Child Exploitation: Children and young people can be exploited online through a wide range of different methods. They can be exploited through cyberbullying, grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or criminal exploitation or emotional abuse.

In relation to potential indicators, models and examples please refer to the detailed practice guidance on the Framework for Decision-making: Right Help, at the Right Time by the Right Person:

• LSCB Child Sexual Exploitation Practice Guidance;
• LSCB Criminal Exploitation and County Lines Practice Guidance;
• LSCB Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Practice Guidance;
• LSCB Out of area Young People Arrested who appear at risk of criminal exploitation Practice Guidance.

A Child Exploitation Risk Assessment can be completed at any point from referral or during the journey of a case. The assessment tool is designed to identify needs of a child/young person who may be vulnerable to being exploited, is being groomed or targeted for the purposes of exploitation or being exploited. The tool will also support you to identify the most appropriate intervention(s) for the child and their family.

The following principles have been taken from the National Working Group and should be used to ensure effective assessment and engagement of children, young people and their families in the assessment process:

• Assessments should be holistic in approach, examining risk and protective factors and addressing the child's needs within their family/living environment, their peer group, their school and wider community;
• Assessments should understand the unique needs of each individual child and avoid 'one size fits all' assumptions about different groups of children;
• Assessment should adopt a broader perspective than cases of intra-familial child abuse and should not be limited to an assessment of parental capacity;
• Assessments should recognise that grooming can cause a breakdown in the protective ability of parents/carers;
• Assessments should be underpinned by professional curiosity and not simply rely on checklists, disclosures or what is or is not known. If something is not known, professionals should not assume that it may not be happening;
• Assessments should provide an analysis of the information gathered, drawing on professional judgement;
• Assessments should consider the impact of the issues identified in the assessment on the child and identify the support that is required to meet their needs;
• Assessments should focus on outcomes, not process;
• Assessments should avoid any suggestion of judgement or blame in respect of either the child or the parent/carer;
• Children/young people and their parents/carers should be actively engaged in the assessment process;
• Children who have been abused have already experienced a loss of control and the assessment process should be managed so that the child can meaningfully participate;
• Children/young people and their parents/carers will require time to develop trust and relationships that underpin effective assessment; assessment should therefore be an ongoing process and young people should feel like you have all the time they need;
• Children/young people and their parents/carers should be afforded the opportunity to tell their story rather than respond to a series of questions i.e. assessments should happen through conversation rather than as a response to a list of questions;
• Children/young people should be told that you are worried about them and why; this will help the child to understand that you will take seriously any information that they do share;
• Children/young people should be asked what is happening rather than told what you think is happening;
• Children/young people should receive a comprehensive explanation as to what will happen with the information gathered.

Child Exploitation Risk Assessment Process – Children and Families

MACE Level 1 – Child Exploitation Risk Assessment and Risk Management Process

The lead practitioner will work with the child/young person and professionals involved with the child and family to complete the assessment. The assessment must record who has been involved and contributed.

The lead practitioner should share the outcome of the assessment and recommended risk level with the professionals involved and ascertain whether they are in agreement with the outcome. Any disagreement and reasons for this should be recorded.

Risk Levels:

• Exploitation not a factor at this time therefore no risk status will be given;
• Low – evidence of vulnerability to exploitation;
• Medium – Evidence of being groomed or targeted;
• High – Evidence that the young person is being exploited.

The assessment should be shared with the child/young person and their family where appropriate. At the very least the worries and outcome should be shared along with a clear explanation of the next steps and outcomes.

Where intelligence it identified this should be shared promptly with the Police through the use of the Partnership Information Sharing Form.

The assessment needs to be approved by a Team Manager/Practice Supervisor and re-assigned to the Multi-Agency Screening Team.

Exploitation Meeting in the Multi-agency Screening Team

The purpose of the meeting to consider all exploitation assessments, to share information and to ensure the right outcomes for children and young people.

The meeting also ensure that all systems including Children and Families, Police and Health are maintained with up to date information and risk status.

Review and Planning

The risk assessment will be updated and reviewed by the Multi-Agency Screening Team at a frequency of:

• Low – 12 weekly;
• Medium – 8 weekly;
• High – 6 weekly.

The risk assessment should be updated sooner should it be required.

The updated assessment should be shared as part of a core group/CIN Meeting/RAISE Meeting to ensure contribution and discussion regarding the risk status.

Medium and High Risk exploitation cases will always be held by Children's Social Care.

The Social Worker/Children and Families work must evidence risk management in the existing plan and this should be reviewed within the review timescales of that plan i.e. CIN Review Meeting, Core Group. Where it is not appropriate to consider this aspect of the plan in that forum then a further risk management meeting will be help but aligned to the existing meeting.

SMART actions should be agreed which have identified practitioners responsible for them and clear timescales.