CHILD CRIMINAL EXPLOITATION STRATEGY 2018 - 2020 - SaferNEL
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CHILD CRIMINAL
EXPLOITATION
STRATEGY
2018 - 2020Child Criminal Exploitation Strategy 2018-2020
For the purposes of this strategy North East Lincolnshire utilises the definition of child criminal exploitation
provided by the Home Office:
“Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce,
control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity (a) in exchange for
something the victim needs or wants and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/
or c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears
consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use
of technology.”
The criminal exploitation of children includes a combination of:
• Pull factors: children performing tasks for others resulting in them gaining accommodation, food, gifts, status
or a sense of safety, money or drugs; often the hook is through the perpetrator supplying Class B drugs such
as cannabis to the child or young person;
• Push factors: children escaping from situations where their needs are neglected and there is exposure to
unsafe individuals, where there is high family conflict or the absence of a primary attachment figure; IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PERPETRATORS OF CCE MAY THEMSELVES BE CHILDREN
WHO ARE CRIMINALLY EXPLOITED AND THAT THE VICTIMS OF CCE MAY ALSO BE AT RISK
• Control: Brain washing, violence and threats of violence by those exploiting the child particularly when the
OF BECOMING PERPETRATORS.
child or young person is identified by the police, they are expected to take full responsibility for the offences
for which they are charged – i.e. possession and supply of illegal substances.
Many young people do not recognise that they are being exploited or that they are at risk. The majority of children
who are vulnerable to criminal exploitation are male, however the possibilities of female involvement should
not be dismissed.
It is imperative that in recognising CCE as a priority, it is co-considered alongside children who go missing,
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and modern day slavery as all are intrinsically linked.
2 3CHILD CRIMINAL
EXPLOITATION
STRATEGY
Content 2018 - 2020
Introduction 6
Mission Statement 7
Key principles 8
Prevention and Early Intervention 10
Children and young people 11
Parental support 11
The role of partner agencies 7
Children’s social care 7
Police 8
National Probation Service (NPS) 8
Support for Looked After Children 9
Young and Safe 9
Health Services 10
Education 10
Voluntary Agencies 11
Foundations 11
4 5Mission Statement
Providing an appropriate response to child criminal • Effective coordination by the LSCB
exploitation requires the combined efforts and skills
of a protective network for children and young people • A clear communication strategy
and depends heavily on a multi-agency response.
• A clear link to the Families First Early Intervention
Their full involvement is vital if children and young Strategy 2016 – 2018.
people are to be effectively supported and action
The purpose of the strategy is to ensure a local
is to be taken against perpetrators of Child Criminal
effective and coordinated response to children
Exploitation. All agencies should be alert to the risks of
Introduction child criminal exploitation and be able to take action
and young people at risk of CCE which identifies
potential risk early and seeks to reduce risk
Tackling exploitation is one of the most important It is therefore essential that all partner agencies act and work together when an issue is identified.
and harm.
challenges currently facing the Local Safeguarding rigorously to reduce incidents of children and young
This joint working is underpinned by:
Children’s Board (LSCB). people going missing. In addition, robust efforts to To achieve this we will:
locate a child or young person if known to be missing
• A strong commitment from leaders and senior
It is the responsibility of all partner agencies to identify is required, and once located, agencies must ensure • Focus and co-ordinate robust multi-agency resources
managers with clear lines of accountability
all children and young people at risk of exploitation in that they have processes in place to assess why a child in relation to the identification intervention and
order to prevent them from becoming victims, and it or young person went missing, what they experienced support to those at risk of CCE.
• A clear governance, operational structure and
is the responsibility of all partner agencies to protect whilst missing and how any future risk of that child or standalone action plan (which is overseen and driven
and safeguard all children and young people who are young person going missing could be reduced. • Produce and implement effective guidance including
by the LSCB Keeping Children Safe Group) defining
experiencing exploitation from further harm. assessment of risk which supports practitioners in
the here and now and future plans and is aligned to
Agencies have a responsibility to do what they can recognising and responding appropriately to CCE.
the LSCB Business Plan
In order to meet this challenge, a shared to prevent children and young people becoming
understanding of the problem and a shared victims of child exploitation. All staff should recognise • Develop and implement CCE training and awareness
• A clear alignment to the North East Lincolnshire
responsibility to proactively address all areas of when a child or young person is involved in or at risk raising for practitioners.
Outcomes Framework showing how the process
exploitation is required. This will be achieved by of exploitation as a result of training and by being around reducing the risk of CCE contributes to the
efficient working partnerships between agencies with aware of the vulnerabilities and warning signs and • Ensure that children and young people and the
outcome that all people in North East Lincolnshire
active coordination by the LSCB, in recognition that risk indicators and should be aware of what action wider community across North East Lincolnshire, in
feel safe and are safe. This is clearly detailed within
the most effective way to tackle this form of child to take to ensure that the child or young person is particular parents and carers, are aware of CCE and
quarterly score cards presented to the Keeping
exploitation is via a committed coordinated multi- appropriately safeguarded. its effects.
Children Safe Group and LSCB Leadership Board.
agency approach, in partnership with children, young
Outcome Based Accountability is the golden • Ensure that children, young people and the
people, families and communities. The local concerns around the presence of county lines
thread throughout all performance in North East community are made aware of the issues around
activity is one that cannot be ignored in relation to CSE
Lincolnshire. exploitation.
Partner agencies should focus on the child’s or young and our strategies around it.
person’s needs and recognise the fact that they are not
• Clear risk management and risk action planning • Ensure the CCE strategy is aligned to the Child Sexual
always aware, recognise or acknowledge that they may Whilst CSE may not be the driving force in county
process in tandem with safeguarding policy and Exploitation, Early Intervention, Domestic Abuse,
be in an exploitative situation. A needs-led, child and lines gangs exploiting children, females who are
practice Missing and Neglect strategies.
family centred approach is needed alongside a focused being groomed to hold or move drugs for gangs
approach towards prevention, early identification and become more accessible and are therefore at higher • A shared understanding of the problem of child • Aim to bring to justice the perpetrators of CCE and to
intervention is central whilst proactively targeting, risk of exploitation by members or being trafficked to criminal exploitation ensure that children and young people are properly
disrupting and prosecuting individuals or groups who other county locations or entering into relationships
safeguarded in the course of any proceedings in
seek to exploit children and young people. with gang members. The link between the two is • Clear information sharing agreements, protocols and
relation to modern day slavery.
intrinsic and must be considered together where guidance.
There are strong links between children and young there is County Lines activity evidenced. North East • Capture the child’s voice.
people being at risk of exploitation and other Lincolnshire recognises this and takes measures to • Clear pathways for referral depending on the
behaviours, in particular missing from home or care. ensure a multi-facetted approach to the two issues. threshold of need, as per the Child Concern Model.
Significant evidence highlights that children and
young people who go missing from home or care are • Collective training and briefing sessions for all
at increased risk of being at risk of, or experiencing practitioners, elected members and the wider
criminal exploitation and or sexual exploitation. community
6 7Key principles
The principles underpinning a multi-agency response to child criminal exploitation include:
• Recognition - Criminal exploitation can include sexual, physical and emotional abuse, as well as, in some
cases, neglect.
• Children do not make informed choices to enter or remain in exploitative relationships, but do so from
coercion, intimidation, violence, enticement, manipulation or desperation.
• CCE covers a range of vulnerabilities which will need differing responses from a range of agencies; it is a multi
causal issue that needs to be addressed within a multi-agency approach.
• Locally it is recognised that CCE, county lines activity and Ending Youth Gang Violence issues and CSE are
intrinsically linked and are therefore considered in tandem.
• Criminally exploited children and young people should be treated as victims of modern day slavery under the Prevention and Early Intervention
category of forced labour and potentially trafficking and this should be used in mitigation during any criminal
The effects of child criminal exploitation are harmful and far reaching for children and young people and the
proceedings.
ultimate aim for the North East Lincolnshire Child Criminal Exploitation Strategy must be to prevent them from
• A multi-agency network or risk assessment and management meeting/discussion should take place for all being exploited in the first place.
children and young people considered at risk of child criminal exploitation.
Action to tackle child criminal exploitation should be proactive, focussing on prevention, early identification and
Child Protection Procedures should always be followed where: intervention, as well as on disrupting activity and prosecuting perpetrators. It is important for cases to be risk
managed so that interventions to safeguard children and young people are at the appropriate level according to the
• The child or young person is at immediate risk of significant harm and/or has other additional vulnerabilities. risk score. This process also supports and encourages the gathering of evidence to increase the chance of successful
criminal prosecutions of their perpetrators, thereby safeguarding potential future victims.
• There is concern that the criminal exploitation is being facilitated by the child/young person’s parent/carer.
In order to help children and young people achieve good outcomes it is important to identify issues and problems
• There is concern that a related or unrelated adult in a position of trust or responsibility to the child or young early and to take prompt preventative action. Early intervention is likely to be far more effective than intervention
person is organising or encouraging the exploitation. at a later stage when the impact on the child or young person’s health or development is likely to have escalated.
Prevention strategies should therefore be regarded as a key part of agencies’ approaches to child criminal
exploitation. Early identification that a child or young person is at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation and involving
their families early in interventions can be a key step in helping them achieve good outcomes.
Looked after children are particularly vulnerable to child criminal exploitation and going missing from home or care.
All care plans will take into account particular risks in relation to individual children.
Children and young people should be provided with preventative education at the earliest opportunity providing
them with critical thinking skills and knowledge in relation to safe and healthy relationships. This will help them to
avoid situations that put them at risk of child criminal exploitation and know who to turn to if they need advice and
support.
8 9Children and young people
It is paramount that the child or young person is kept at the heart of practice and their voice is heard throughout
and that this can be evidenced for the duration of their experience.
Children and young people may become involved for many reasons and commonly they may suffer with low self
esteem. This can then make them vulnerable to unwittingly becoming involved in situations which ultimately
exploit them. It is very common for children and young people not to recognise that they are being abused due to
the grooming methods often used by the perpetrators.
The needs of children and particularly of young people aged 16 and 17 years are likely to be overlooked for this
reason. Although faced with limited choice, they may believe themselves to be acting voluntarily. It may take many
weeks or months for practitioners who work with young people to build up their trust, and help them to recognise
that they are being exploited.
Parental support
Child Criminal Exploitation can affect the whole family. As part of the grooming process, the perpetrator will
deliberately seek to sever family relationships and instil a sense of distrsust by the child towards their family.
The child might act violently or out of control, leading to possible problems at schools or with the police.
Relationships or marriages can come under strain and parents’ own mental health can be seriously challenged.
• Parents are the primary safe guarder of a child, with 90% of exploited children living at home. Parents are
providing the 24/7 support when others are no longer there.
• Parents and family carers are best placed to understand their child, to identify changes in behaviour and to
intervene early when risks are identified.
• Supported parents can explore their own feelings in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
• Parents who are informed about CCE and grooming can begin to see why their child has become a changed
person since the abuse started.
10 11The role of partner agencies Cases managed through the MAPPA framework
facilitates the safeguarding responsibilities of relevant
and managing risk and improving the awareness of
Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation. Young people
Children’s social care child potentially in need. This training needs to be in authorities and provides further accountability to reports and research demonstrates that building
line with Home Office standards, and in keeping with a collaborative approach to the management of effective relationships with care givers and support
Children’s social care have the lead responsibility for partner agencies protocols and guidance. Similarly safeguarding practice. services through positive experience, communication,
responding to children and young people at high risk training and guidance will be provided on how officers sharing and role modelling is vital.
of criminal exploitation and act in accordance with can deal with offenders identified to be linked to CCE. The need to take all actions necessary to safeguard
their responsibilities under the Children Act 1989. children is a priority within NPS delivery. The focus Looked after children are proportionally more likely to
Humberside Police have a duty to provide and share and emphasis of the NPS is on managing risk to be reported missing. The interplay between missing
Following a referral Children’s social care have a duty, intelligence to appropriate partner agencies in relation children (with a corresponding focus on welfare in the episodes and exploitation need to be considered and
under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989, to ensure to County Lines and potential OCG suspects and context of risk management). assessed, including association groups, where children
that the needs of all children and young people groups which may act to reduce numbers of children are located, any injuries or marks.
who are involved in, or are at risk of, being criminally at risk. Therefore alignment with Youth Offending Through the NPS assessment process safeguarding is
exploited are assessed and that appropriate multi- Services, the council and the Early Intervention teams a clear requirement within each Offender Assessment Effective interagency planning for all looked after
agency engagement and appropriate interventions are are essential. There should be a support system in System (OASys) and practitioners have the very clear children needs to take into account risk and resilience
undertaken. place at all times to ensure that any child or family that expectation that sentence plans are constructed and via using worry statements and safety plan with
are deemed to be vulnerable and at risk are monitored collaboratively with the offender and include specific the young person consider how they are best kept
Social workers will ensure that for ongoing or open and supported until their risk level can be reduced. objectives targeted at safeguarding. safe. Key strengths in North East Lincolnshire are the
cases in children’s social care that children and young quality of the Children’s homes and part of this is the
people’s needs are met, employing a multi-agency The NPS promotes the fact that safeguarding is the commitment to locating the children when they are
approach. The risk of harm to the child or young National Probation Service (NPS) responsibility of all members of staff and not limited missing.
person will be re-assessed in light of any emerging to operational employees.
information relating to criminal exploitation and any The National Probation Service are responsible for Managers from the homes contribute to safeguarding
the management, assessment and rehabilitation of This has been achieved through relevant training meetings for individual children and strategically. The
existing plans amended accordingly.
predominantly high risk and MAPPA eligible offenders and ensuring systems which support operations homes are smaller to allow for better development of
Long-term support for young people affected by and supporting victims of crime. clearly identify those offenders which present a risk relationships.
criminal exploitation is provided, ensuring that they to children and that all information is updated to
are fully supported to reduce any further risk. If an The promotion of safeguarding practice extends to all be accurate and reflect current intervention and The vulnerability of young people leaving care can
existing plan exists, the plan to reduce the risk of areas of service delivery. assessment to manage safeguarding issues. increase due to the reduction in services immediately
criminal exploitation will be incorporated into this round them. Living alone could make them possible
This includes: The NPS is fully committed to the partnership targets for cuckooing. Ensuring good planning
plan. For example a child in need or a child protection
approach of the Child Criminal Exploitation group and continues and that young people have a routine will
plan.
The Pre-sentence stage to assess the risk of serious is able to support colleagues through risk assessment increase their resilience. Staying Put and Staying Close
harm presented by an offender towards children and and risk management practices. options are considered for young people.
Children’s social care continues to work in partnership
young people and the recommendation of sentencing
with Humberside Police and the Local Safeguarding
options to mitigate and reduce such risks. A Sunday service provides a link to maintain contact
Children Board (LSCB), coordinating, chairing and
attending the multi-agency child exploitation (MACE)
Support for Looked After Children with young people, where they can eat and spent time
Working directly with offender in the community and casually with support staff. There are protocols in place
meetings, promoting the sharing of intelligence across
in prison through the statutory supervision framework In most cases, young people enter care either because
agencies to reduce the risk of criminal exploitation to with the local colleges and YPSS. 8 weekly homes visits
to target their criminogenic needs and the associated they have been abused or neglected or because
vulnerable young people across the Authority. are required to ensure safety and stability.
risks to young people. This is achieved on a number they have been rejected by their families or become
of levels through accredited programme work, direct estranged from their families which increases their
Police case management and supervision, interventions vulnerability. Young and Safe
which address domestic abuse, mental health issues,
substance misuse and violent and sexual offending. For older young people there may well be issues The principal aim of the Youth Offending Service is to
Humberside Police have a responsibility to recognise
relating to lack of stability and routine. Issues of prevent offending by children and young persons by:
and be able to identify children at risk of Child Criminal
The NPS works on a statutory basis with victims of self-worth and belonging can result in young people
Exploitation – and to make the appropriate risk
offences specified within Schedule 15 of the Criminal being drawn to groups or individuals willing to devote • Confronting young offenders with the
assessments and referrals in order to safeguard that
Justice Act 2003. This allows for the child’s voice time and attention to them. The pull can be over a consequences of their offending and helping them
child from any further danger/exploitation.
to be heard in respect of sentence planning, risk period of time and carers and workers need to be to develop a sense of personal responsibility.
Alongside this – it is paramount that Humberside management activities, the formation of licence attuned to changes in their young people.
conditions to manage any risks to children (which can • Intervention which tackles the risk factors associated
Police provide the necessary training and guidance to
include no contact or supervised contact, exclusion For this purpose the staff members and carers will with offending - personal, family, social, educational,
all officers regarding CCE and the risk factors to look
zones, directed residence and prohibited activities). need to understand their contribution in prevention health, drugs, accommodation, peer group pressure,
out for in order to identify and effectively deal with a
12 13low self-esteem, poor academic attainment etc. • Attendance at relevant boards / risk management and young people in North East Lincolnshire schools courts as well as voluntary offenders, and collaborate
panels to ensure that individual risk/ harm / and academies. All education services to provide a with the courts and probation to support individuals
• Punishment proportionate to seriousness and exploitation levels are assessed. conduit to expert advice and guidance available to to stop offending behaviour.
persistence of offending, with a range of penalties schools and academies in relation to identification
available to the Courts (referral orders, Youth • Developing the preventative agenda, providing of those students at risk of CCE and offer appropriate Foundations recognises that the young people who
Rehabilitation Orders and Custody). education, training and awareness to schools, support for students whose education is impacted are using substances are at high risk of exploitation
partners, parents and families. by CCE. All education support mechanisms within and ensure that this is addressed throughout all
• Encouraging reparation to victims or to the work completed. The young people’s team go into
the Local Authority to give due consideration to the
community by young offenders. • To develop group work programmes across schools and colleges delivering group interventions
antecedent that CCE places on students in relation
the partnership to support the prevention of which tackle grooming, risks and prevention of child
to behaviour, attendance and engagement. Support
• Reinforcing the responsibilities of parents. vulnerability of CCE.
the development of bespoke training for education/ criminal exploitation. This is also addressed in the
school/academy staff that aims to identify and Comprehensive Assessment and direct work with
• Working in partnership with a range of Criminal
support those students within NEL schools/academies young people and their families (when necessary)
Justice agencies.
covering – consequences of criminal behaviour
Health Services that are at risk of or subject to CCE. Actively support
• Ensuring identified vulnerabilities such as Child the development of a wider level of understanding of involving substances and how substance misuse is
Criminal Exploitation and Child Sexual Exploitation All health providers and practitioners within both CCE across NEL and facilitate this process through key funded.
are developed through the Youth Offending Service. community and acute services whose role is to deliver conduits including student focused services, head
Risk management plans are completed addressing
services to children and their families should be aware teachers forum, CP co-ordinators forum, governors
There have been significant developments in how this will be managed and risk reduced.
of the guiding principles of identifying children and forum, Behaviour and Attendance Collaborative (BAC),
North East Lincolnshire in relation to Child Criminal Foundations take a multi-agency approach to
young people who are at risk of criminal exploitation. SENAG and all educational structures within and
Exploitation, particularly in reference to young people managing risk working very closely with the Youth
involving North East Lincolnshire Council.
involved in drug trafficking, county lines and modern School nurses are key professionals in the delivery Offending Service, Safeguarding Service, Early Help
day slavery. of services to many of the young people who may Steps taken: and local educational providers.
be affected by CCE. Requests for contraception,
Partnerships have been formed to develop a multi- • Overview of CCE in NEL provided to senior leaders Foundations Young People’s Team keep the young
pregnancy testing, support for health related concerns
agency response which include practice development, from all 10 secondary academies and PRU/AP provider people at the heart of the practice at all times. The
and relationship issues may be made in “drop-in”
identification, managing the risk of individuals through secondary BAC, update of this information in service recognises that all young people are at risk
sessions or via Chat Health (telephone texting service).
and workforce development. To assist with this the place for spring term 2018 (end of January) of child criminal exploitation. However we recognise
Council’s Youth Offending services have dedicated the Practitioners should remain vigilant to the history that young people between the ages of 16 and 17 are
below developments. offered by young people and whether there are any • Awareness of CCE agenda provided through LSCB high risk, as they are moving from adolescence into
inconsistencies or concerning information that needs education sub group and update on development of adulthood. Young people often either don’t recognise
• NELC have seconded an allocated CCE link worker to to be shared with colleagues in social care. In addition CCE strategic plan discussed and disseminated with or bypass the risks due to financial gain. The young
provide a first point of access for all practitioners to children and young people may present at their GPs representatives from all phases of education within people’s workers have weekly appointments with the
report any concerns in relation to CCE and to offer and the hospital with injuries associated with gang this forum. young people and are able to build positive working
support, advice and guidance. activity including knife wounds. relationships. This enables them to have the difficult
• Training for staff working with within PRU and AP conversations about child criminal exploitation and
• Ensure intelligence sharing with Police and other Whilst the majority of children who are criminally settings in place for Spring term 2018 (end of January), establish the child’s voice. Foundations also attend
key partners to support building of a wider picture exploited live at home research tells us that some LAC this aims to offer bespoke advice, guidance and the monthly MACE meeting where young people who
of the issues the area faces in regards to OCG’s and who are CCE are living independently (at aged 16) so expertise to staff working with the most hard to reach are highlighted as at risk are discussed and plans put
County Lines. will pose a greater challenge consideration to some of and vulnerable students within NELC. in place to support them to reduce their risk.
those small but significant groups.
• To work directly with individuals and their families The Foundations adults team have excellent working
identified at MACE and/ or is at risk of exploitation. relationships with the Probation Service. Fortnightly
Targeted work which includes programmes such as
It is imperative that channels of communication
between health providers are maintained and that
Voluntary Agencies Integrated Offender Management (IOM) meetings are
‘Which Way’. relevant information is shared across all agencies attended and a weekly clinic held at the probation
Foundations
involved. Service completes direct work with adult service
• Development of new and innovative programmes of users. Young people on IOM are managed separately
Foundations Adults and young people’s team are
direct work that tackle all areas of exploitation. from the adults and are seen at the Youth Offending
proactive in the prevention and intervention of child
criminal exploitation. Foundations work with both Service. Direct work is completed with IOM service
• Sharing of concerns with all required professionals Education users to educate them in appropriate relationships
e.g. social workers in order to build safeguards for young people and adult service users and have an
opportunity to engage both victims and perpetrators with children and any information gained is fed into
Children Families and the workforce. There should be a focus on disseminating information
of child criminal exploitation. They work with people the IOM meetings, Youth Offending Service and
around the risks and implications of CCE on children
who are mandated to attend their service through the referred into CASS.
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