What is child exploitation?
This is where a child or young person is coerced, manipulated, or groomed into taking part in sexual or criminal activity. The child may not recognise that they are being exploited.
Child Exploitation Screening Tool
If you are concerned that a child is being sexually or criminally exploited then the Child Exploitation (CE) Screening Tool can be used to ‘work through’ these concerns with the option of then submitting the form which will initiate the matter being heard at Lincolnshire’s Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) meetings. If you are unsure as to whether the form warrants submission then this should be discussed with your immediate line manager/Safeguarding Lead. Whether submitted or not it is vital that the risks and vulnerabilities you have identified are reflected in any assessment and/or plan which exists for the child.
The tool will ask for any details you know around the child (victim), any Persons of Concern and any Locations of Concern.
A tool should not be submitted on vulnerabilities alone; there must be elements of grooming/manipulation/coercion present alongside an intent to engage the child in criminal and/or sexual activity.
MACE does not replace existing safeguarding measures. If you have immediate safeguarding concerns these need to be raised via existing safeguarding processes (you can also refer into MACE but please prioritise taking immediate safeguarding action).
There is no definitive list of indicators for exploitation. Every child is different and lives in a different environmental context with differing vulnerabilities. Professional judgement & analysis of information is required prior to submitting a CE screening tool. Additional information from the child’s family members and/or other agencies may add further context to referrals and allow additional disruption, professionals are encouraged to seek all available information before submitting a referral
Where it is considered safe to do so the form should be completed with the child and their parents/carer although before doing so you should consider whether this could create additional risk for the child. It is also vital that any police intelligence you are aware of is not shared with the child or their parents or carer.
Partnership Information Report
Please complete a Partnership Information Report if:
- you are a member of a partner agency, and
- have information that you believe is relevant to assist the police
We have a multi-agency system of sharing information with Lincolnshire Police. It helps to support vulnerable children and adults. This is known locally as Operation Insignia.
A Partnership Information Report should only be used when there is no clear route to inform the police of the information. Your information will help form a picture around the situation. It may allow the police to take further action in investigating an issue.
This could include but is not limited to information that is indicating:
- child exploitation (criminal and sexual) and not enough information known to refer to MACE.
- human trafficking
- modern slavery
- county lines
- cuckooing
- knife crime
Please note: if you wish to report a crime or you require prompt attention, ring 101 or 999, or report the crime on the police website.
COMPLETE A PARTNERSHIP INFORMATION REPORT
A Partnership information Report is not to answer current safeguarding concerns or matters of urgency. The form is not a means to ensure safeguarding actions.
If the form is about significant harm to a child or vulnerable adult, normal safeguarding procedures apply. Never assume someone else has passed on the information you have.
Training
The LSCP provides an e-learning module: Safeguarding Children from Abuse by Sexual Exploitation. It is designed to improve awareness.
The LSCP recommends all agencies make the e-learning module mandatory for staff. Especially those who come into contact with children and young people.
Resources
The LSCP recommends the following principles when using child exploitation resources with children and young people:
- make sure resources are appropriate to the child or young person’s emotional needs and experience
- familiarise yourself with the young child or young person’s environment before using resources
- avoid materials, particularly films, which use harrowing examples and depictions to shock young people
- avoid resources that erase the actions of the offender/perpetrator or teach children that the decisions they made led to them being abused
