Developing an effective local strategy

Safeguarding children and youn gpeople from sexual exploitation requires two interlinked strategies: one aimed at supporting the child or young person; the other aimed at disrupting and prosecuting alleged abusers. Further details of developing an effective local ‘joined up’ strategy are outlined in Jago and Pearce (2008) Gathering Evidence against those who sexually exploit children and young people

Child sexual exploitation – 10 steps to an effective local strategy

1. Undertake a review of the local response to child sexual exploitation following the guidance on Safeguarding Children and Young people from Sexual Exploitation
2. Assess the prevalence and models of child sexual exploitation in the area
3. Build in consideration of the needs of children and young people who may be sexually exploited when planning and commissioning local services
4. Provide information for the local community, including awareness raising activities for young people and publicity for sources of help for those at risk
5. Provide specialist training for all key professionals
6. Identify lead professionals in key agencies, and a coordinator role to provide a route for referring concerns
7. Develop systems to monitor cases of child sexual exploitation
8. Set up an LSCB sub group to develop and take forward specific procedures to address child sexual exploitation
9. Ensure procedures cover the dual aim of protecting young people at risk and proactively investigating their exploiters
10. The strategy involves four stages:
    • Identification Does local training include how to identify sexual exploitation? Do local procedures specify how professionals should share information with relevant agencies?
    • Engagement Do local procedures specify processes for supporting sexually exploited children and young people, or those at risk of sexual exploitation? Have services been commissioned to provide a therapeutic approach to the support of young people at risk?
    • Disruption Do local procedures specify how professionals can work together to deliver disruption plans?
    • Prosecution Do local procedures specify the role of professionals in gathering evidence of child sexual exploitation? Does local training include ways to gather evidence that can be used effectively against abusers?

For more information see Jago, S. and Pearce, J. (2008) Gathering Evidence against those who sexually exploit children and young people. Luton: University of Bedfordshire – [http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/operational-policing/beds-sexual-exploitation-report?view=Binary]