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The Protection of Children Standard
The guidance in this chapter should be read in conjunction West Yorkshire Consortium Policy, Procedure and Guidance for Safeguarding Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation regarding the sexual exploitation of children and young people.
Child Sexual Exploitation Risk Assessment Information Form – to be used when referring cases of suspected CSE to the Child Exploitation Team.
Calderdale Child Exploitation Information Report - to be used to share any information and intelligence that would support the CE Team in identifying perpetrators or other young people who may be at risk.
Calderdale Child Exploitation Referral Flowchart
Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (2017)
Barnardos - Child Sexual Exploitation – Resources and Research on CSE
Child Sexual Exploitation: Practice Tool (2017) (Research in Practice – Open Access) - Information about child sexual exploitation, and guidance on the complexities of practically responding to the issue.
In July 2019, links were added to resources for practitioners working with children who have been, or are at risk of, Child Sexual Exploitation published by Barnardos and Research in Practice.
Child sexual exploitation is a crime with devastating and long lasting consequences for its victims and their families. Childhoods and family life can be ruined and this is compounded when victims, or those at risk of abuse, do not receive appropriate, immediate and on-going support. The first response to children, and support for them to access help, must be the best it can be from social workers, residential care workers, Police, health practitioners and others who work with children and their families.
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse. Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.
The definition of child sexual exploitation is as follows:
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group 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 or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Like all forms of child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation:
Child sexual exploitation is a complex form of abuse and it can be difficult for those working with children to identify and assess. The indicators for child sexual exploitation can sometimes be mistaken for ‘normal adolescent behaviours'. It requires knowledge, skills, professional curiosity and an assessment which analyses the risk factors and personal circumstances of individual children to ensure that the signs and symptoms are interpreted correctly and appropriate support is given. Even where a young person is old enough to legally consent to sexual activity, the law states that consent is only valid where they make a choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice. If a child feels they have no other meaningful choice, are under the influence of harmful substances or fearful of what might happen if they don't comply (all of which are common features in cases of child sexual exploitation) consent cannot legally be given whatever the age of the child.
Child sexual exploitation is never the victim's fault, even if there is some form of exchange: all children and young people under the age of 18 have a right to be safe and should be protected from harm.
One of the key factors found in most cases of child sexual exploitation is the presence of some form of exchange (sexual activity in return for something); for the victim and/or perpetrator or facilitator. See also Child Sexual Exploitation: Definition and Guide for Practitioners (2017). This advice is non-statutory, and has been produced to help practitioners to identify child sexual exploitation and take appropriate action in response. This advice includes the management, disruption and prosecution of perpetrators.
Many children and young people are groomed into sexually exploitative relationships but other forms of entry exist. Some young people are engaged in informal economies that incorporate the exchange of sex for rewards such as drugs, alcohol, money or gifts. Others exchange sex for accommodation or money as a result of homelessness and experiences of poverty. Some young people have been bullied and threatened into sexual activities by peers or gangs which is then used against them as a form of extortion and to keep them compliant.
Children and young people may have already been sexually exploited before they are placed in the home; others may become targets of perpetrators during their placement. They can often be the focus of perpetrators of sexual abuse due to their vulnerability. The manager and staff in the home should therefore create an environment which educates children and young people about child sexual exploitation, involving relevant outside agencies where appropriate. They should encourage children to discuss any concerns with their key worker or other member of staff, and also be encouraged to report any concerns about their peers to staff.
Please note: Whilst the focus has often been on older men as perpetrators, younger men and women may also be involved and staff should always be mindful of this.
This list is not exhaustive.
Staff should be aware that often children and young people who are sexually exploited do not see themselves as victims. In such situations, discussions with them about concerns which staff have should be handled with great sensitivity. Seeking prior advice from specialist agencies may be useful. This should be done without disclosing personal, identifiable information.
In assessing whether a child or young person is being sexually exploited or at risk of sexual exploitation, careful consideration should be given to the issue of consent. It is important to bear in mind that:
As well as responding to an individual child or young person who goes missing (see Section 3, Children and Young People who go Missing), homes should also collate and share data on missing incidents.
A significant number of children and young people who are being sexually exploited may go missing from care and education, some frequently; the more often they go missing the more vulnerable they are to being sexually exploited. If a child goes missing from care, the Calderdale Missing Child Policy should be followed.
Independent Return Interviews for young runaways can help in establishing why a young person ran away and the subsequent support that may be required, as well as preventing repeat incidents. Information gathered from return interviews can be used to inform the identification, referral and assessment of any child sexual exploitation cases.
See also: Calderdale Child Exploitation Referral Flowchart.
If there are immediate concern, the Police should be contacted and a referral made to MAST on 01422 393336 (during office hours) or 01422 288000 (outside office hours). If there are concerns that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, the MAST team will organise a Strategy Meeting and the Child Exploitation (CE) team members may attend if available.
If there is not an immediate risk identified, professionals will be requested to complete a CE Risk Assessment which should be sent to MAST then passed to the CE team. The child’s name will be placed on the CE assessment list and the case is reviewed by the multi-agency CE (MACE) meeting and support provided as required. If a child is deemed at on-going risk of CE they will be placed on Calderdale’s CE Matrix, reviewed and managed on a weekly basis. If the child is deemed to be low risk but support is required, a plan will be implemented and the case will continue with the relevant support, for example CIN and or Early Intervention plan.
Concerns about Child Sexual Exploitation should be detailed on the West Yorkshire CSE Risk Assessment Form and e-mailed to: MAST@calderdale.gov.uk.
In the case of suspected Child Sexual Exploitation Ofsted, the Placing Authority and Police must be informed (see also Notification of Serious Events).
The Calderdale CE Team can be contacted for advice at any time on: 01422 337042.
Statutory agencies and voluntary sector organisations together with the child or young person, and their family as appropriate, should agree on the services and support which will be provided to them and how they will be coordinated. The types of intervention offered should be appropriate to the young person’s individual needs and should take full account of identified risk factors and their individual circumstances.
Advice should be sought from the nearest specialist service which works with children and young people involved in Child Sexual Exploitation. A referral should be made as appropriate, following consultation with the child or young person.
Issues raised and action planned should be incorporated into the child's Care Plan and Placement Plan, and reviewed as part of the Child Looked After Review.
Because the effects of Child Sexual Exploitation can last well into adulthood, support may be required over a long period of time. In such circumstances, effective links should be made between Children and Adult Services and statutory and voluntary organisations.
This should be incorporated into the young person's Pathway Plan.
The Police and Criminal Justice Agencies lead on the identification and prosecution of perpetrators. All practitioners, however, have a role in gathering, recording and sharing information with the Police and other agencies, as appropriate and in agreement with them.
The home's manager and senior staff should proactively liaise with local Police regarding Child Sexual Exploitation. This should include the Police giving advice to staff about what action they should take if they are concerned a child in their care is at risk of or is being sexually exploited. This may include gathering information to pass onto the Police, such as vehicle registration numbers, names, physical descriptions etc. It may also include what action staff should take in the case of suspected sexual or physical abuse in order to protect potential evidence, which may be useful in the case of an alleged perpetrator being prosecuted.
Staff in children's homes should bear in mind that sexual exploitation often does not occur in isolation and has links to other crime types, including:
The Calderdale Child Exploitation Information Report should be used if residential staff have any information that would support the CE Team in identifying perpetrators.
No matter how small the information may seem it can inform the bigger picture and lead to protecting other young people and identifying perpetrators of CE.
Where alleged perpetrators are arrested and charged with offences against children or young people in the home, staff should ensure the young people concerned are supported throughout the prosecution process and beyond. Specialist agencies should also be involved in supporting the child or young person, as required. This may include using special measures to protect them when giving evidence in court for example. Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (IDVAs) or specialist voluntary sector services, if available, may also have an important role to play.
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