All staff are trained on safeguarding issues that can put children at risk of harm. 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

We recognise both CSE and CCE are forms of abuse. They both occur where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance in power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child into sexual or criminal activity, in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for the financial advantage or increased threat of violence. CSE and CCE can affect children, both male and female and can include children who have been moved for the purpose of exploitation.

Children can be exploited by adult males or females, as individuals or in groups. They may also be exploited by other children, who themselves may be experiencing exploitation – where this is the case, it is important that the child perpetrator is also recognised as a victim.

Whilst the age of the child may be a contributing factor for an imbalance of power, there are a range of other factors that could make a child more vulnerable to exploitation, including, sexual identity, cognitive ability, learning difficulties, communication ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

Some of the following can be indicators of both child criminal and sexual exploitation where children:

• appear with unexplained gifts, money or new possessions;
• associate with other children involved in exploitation;
• suffer from changes in emotional well-being;
• misuse drugs and alcohol;
• go missing for periods of time or regularly come home late; and
• regularly miss school or education or do not take part in education.

We will provide additional support to children who have been exploited to help maintain them in education.

Staff understand that the experience of girls who are criminally exploited can be very different to that of boys. The indicators may not be the same, they are aware that girls are at risk of criminal exploitation too. It is also important to note that both boys and girls being criminally exploited may be at higher risk of sexual exploitation.

If we feel that children may be being abused through exploitation, we will consult in the normal way with the relevant local authority social care team to seek advice. In Telford & Wrekin we will consider whether the incident follows a CSE care and support Pathway. The concerns will be followed through sensitively and appropriately with fellow professionals and the CSE referral form  will be completed. In relation to the fortnightly CATE Risk Panels, where concerns are expressed around a child attending our setting, we will ensure attendance whenever possible as part of the established multi-agency process. Alongside this, we have taken the same steps and made all staff aware of the TWSP A guide for professionals CATE leaflet. Due to the high number of reports in our borough, we will be particularly alert to the CSE and CCE.

We will make parents and carers, and children and young people aware of the relevant TWSP CATE leaflets. We will provide them with information on CEOP the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command. Children and adults can use CEOP to report if they are concerned that a child is being sexually abused or groomed online.