Child Sexual Exploitation Strategy - Barnsley Safeguarding Children ...

BARNSLEY SAFEGUARDINGCHILDREN BOARDCHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATIONSTRATEGY27 SEPTEMBER 20131

INTRODUCTIONThis strategy is owned and presented by Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board.The goal is to:secure an effective partnership response to the challenge of childsexual exploitation (CSE) in order to maximise our ability to safeguardchildren and young people from the risk of CSE and provide aneffective services to children and young people who are victims ofCSE. The strategy expresses the commitment of BSCB and its partnerorganisations to understand and tackle child sexual exploitation inBarnsley in terms of prevention, protection and prosecution.PurposeThe focus of the strategy is to:• keep children and young people at the heart of planning and deliveringservices• learn from national best practice• define and understand child sexual exploitation and the implications at astrategic level through to front line practice.• assess risk in the borough based upon intelligence, incidents and activitydata• take forward a plan based upon the principles of prevention, protection andprosecution• be clear about accountability, roles and responsibilities at an individual,agency and partnership level• ensure action plans are in place to deliver all the key requirementsDEFINITIONThe Statutory Guidance on Safeguarding Children and Young People from ChildSexual Exploitation 2009 defines CSE as:"sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitativesituations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person orpersons) receive something (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes,affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing and/or another or othersperforming on them sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can be via the useof technology without the child's immediate recognition; for example beingpersuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediatepayment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person have powerover them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/oreconomic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common,involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by thechild or young person's limited availability of choice resulting from theirsocial/economic and/or emotional vulnerability."2

Whilst CSE can take a number of forms three areas have been identified byBarnardo's:• inappropriate relationships involving a lone perpetrator who hasinappropriate power or control over a young person, whether physical(including domestic abuse), emotional or economic. There is likely to be asignificant age gap between the perpetrator and victim. The young personmay believe that they are in a loving, equal relationship.• the "boyfriend" model of exploitation and peer exploitation - the perpetratorbefriends and grooms a young person into a "relationship" and subsequentlycoerces them to have sex with friends or associates. This includes gangexploitation and peer on peer exploitation.• elements of organised/net worked sexual exploitation or trafficking - youngpeople (often connected)are passed through networks possibly overgeographical distances between towns and cities, where they may beforced/ coerced into sexual activity with multiple men. Often this occurs at'sex parties', and young people who are involved may be used as agents torecruit others into the network. Some of this activity is described as seriousorganised crime and can involve the organised 'buying and selling' of youngpeople by perpetrators.Barnardos: Puppet on a String 2011 www.barnardos.org.ukNATIONAL CONTEXTNationally sexual exploitation and abuse is increasing and CEOP indicated in thePuppet on a String report that there was a 16% on year increase from 5,411reports in 2008/09 to 6291 in 2009/10 .Recent studies have provided some indication of the prevalence of CSE. A 2005research study carried out in London found 507 individual cases where CSE wasknown or indicated with a further 1,002 young people estimated to be at risk acrossall London boroughs (Harper and Scott 2005). A 2011 research study found thaton one date in 2011, 1,065 sexually exploited young people were worked with innine areas of England (Jago et al 2011). The Office of the Children'sCommissioner for England (OCCE) inquiry into CSE in gangs and groups foundthat there were 2049 confirmed victims of CSE in either gangs or groups during a14 month period from 2010 to 2011 (Berelowitz et al, 2012). Barnardo's workedwith 1,185 young people in its Sexual Exploitation Services in England in 2011-12,a 19% increase on the previous year.source: Running from Hate to what you think is Love - Barnardo'shttp://www.barnardos.org.uk/15505 cse running from hate 21 web.pdfBARNSLEY CONTEXTIn line with national concerns CSE is currently one of the most importantchallenges facing Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board.The Board recognises that Child Sexual Exploitation can have a serious long termand lasting impact on children and young people affecting physical and emotionalhealth and wellbeing, educational attainment, personal safety, relationships andfuture life opportunities. The impact of CSE on family life can also be significantplacing considerable strain on all family members and increasing the risk of family3

eakdown. Consequently BSCB is committed to ensuring a multi agencyresponse at a strategic, service level and from front line practice. The statutoryduty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in theface of growing concerns around sexual exploitation extends across all Children'sServices including schools, South Yorkshire Police and health services.RESPONSIBILITIES OF BARNSLEY SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARD(BSCB)Government guidance recognises the widespread prevalence of CSE andhighlights the need for local responses to be set in place:'Every Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) should assume that sexualexploitation occurs within its area unless there is clear evidence to the contrary,and should put in place systems to monitor prevalence and responses'BSCB should receive sufficient information and data to be assured that:• the needs of children and young people who have been or may be sexuallyexploited and their families are considered when planning andcommissioning local services• agencies monitor and review the need for designated workers within partneragencies (both statutory and voluntary) and multi-agency teams• specific local procedures are in place to address and minimise the sexualexploitation of children and young people• a clear response is available for children and young people including theresponse to perpetrators and these will be developed in conjunction withyoung people and the partner agencies of BSCB• local safeguarding training includes information about how to identify thesigns of sexual exploitation and an understanding of how to gather evidencewhich can be used to bring prosecutions against abusers as advocated insafeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation HMGovernment 2009• where sexual exploitation is known to be prevalent local specialist training isavailable for key professionals• systems are in place to track and monitor cases of sexual exploitation thatcome to the attention of local agencies• there is a dedicated lead person in each partner organisation withresponsibility for implementing practice/guidance• arrangements are in place to co-operate with neighbouring areas and thoseareas where children who have been sexually exploited are believed to havelived or been present• the Child Sexual Exploitation and Runaways forum reports on the workbeing undertaken to address CSE and how agencies are workingcollectively to move this work forward• appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure that work withchildren/young people who have been sexually exploited is undertaken in aco-ordinated way• management information is used to identify what specialist resources orservices should be provided to children who have been or are likely to besexually exploited and their families in the local area4

LEARNING FROM BEST PRACTICE: Identification of riskThe Board has evaluated national research and it is evident that any child/youngperson may be at risk of sexual exploitation. It is recognised that there are anumber of factors which may increase the risk of children and young peopleexperiencing abuse of any kind. These factors can also be considered asindicators of sexual exploitation.• children who are regularly absent from education• children whose access to education is restricted - i.e. partialtimetables/exclusions in place• children who regularly go missing• children with mental health issues• children who are abusing drugs or alcohol• children with disabilities or special needs• children on the autistic spectrum who may already have relationshipdifficulties and be more vulnerable to inappropriate contacts• looked after children• homeless young people and those living in unsafe situations e.g. living in ahostel, bed and breakfast accommodation or a foyer• transient young people, e.g. asylum seekers or travellers• victims of child abuse and those experiencing or witnessing domesticviolence• having older boyfriends or girlfriends• appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions• concerns relating to sexual health• displaying overtly sexualised behaviour• Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household( including parental substancemisuse, domestic violence, parental mental health issues)• History of abuse ( including familial child sexual abuse, risk of forcedmarriage, risk of honour based violence, physical, emotional abuse andneglect)• recent bereavement or loss• gang association either through relatives peers or intimate relationships (incases of gang associated child sexual exploitation only• attending school with peers/friends who are being sexually exploited• unsure about their sexual orientation or unable to disclose their sexualorientation to their families• lacking friends from the same age group• living in a gang neighbourhood• low self esteem or self confidence• young carer• children engaged in risky internet useNational research sources conclude that there are a range of a signs andbehaviours which are generally seen in children who are already being exploited:• Missing from home or care• Physical injuries• drug or alcohol misuse5

A CHILD CENTRED APPROACH IN BARNSLEYResponding to needServices need to understand the difficulties young people have experienced inorder to design, plan and deliver the right services to children and young people atthe right time to maximise impact and improve outcomes. Understanding theneeds of the whole child and providing an integrated response is key.Work relating to CSE will reflect the key principles of Safeguarding Children andYoung People from Sexual Exploitation. Supplementary Guidance to WorkingTogether to Safeguard Children (DCSF 2009).BSCB notes that the Director of Public Prosecutions is proposing a shift fromassessing the credibility of a child who has been abused to assessing thecredibility of the allegations they have made. It is cited that that the very factorsthat may undermine a child's account i.e. the fact that they returned to theirabusers, or have been under the influence of drink and or drugs may in fact befactors that support their allegation of abuse. Sexual exploitation of children andyoung people should therefore not be regarded as criminal behaviour on the part ofthe child or young person but as child sexual abuse.Three strategic priorities to tackling CSE in BarnsleyBarnsley's approach to tackling CSE will be based on three key strands:• Prevention: making it more difficult to exploit children and preventingchildren becoming victims through education and awareness raising andassuring local communities that agencies take the issue seriously• Protection: identify and safeguard children who are at risk• Prosecution: pursue the perpetrators of CSE and ensure appropriate multiagency plans are in place to support victims and to enable them to safelydisclose the abuse and provide evidence to identify and prosecute offendersin order to stop their activity.These key headings form the structure of Barnsley's Child Sexual ExploitationAction Plan for ensuring a strategic and service response and the development offront line practice, raising awareness, responding to victims and managingperpetrators. (See Appendix 1). The Action Plan will cover the period from 2013until March 2015 when it will then be subject to review.Accountability and responsibility for delivering the strategyBSCB will take lead responsibility for driving forward the CSE strategy in Barnsleyand oversee the implementation of the Action Plan outlined at Appendix 1. BSCBwill be supported through the range of partner organisations contributions to theAction Plan. Details of the roles and responsibilities of the partner organisationsare set out in Appendix 2Date Approved: 27 September 2013Date for Review: September 20157

BARNSLEY SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN BOARDAPPENDIX 1CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION ACTION PLANRecommendation Action Required LeadPersonPREVENTIONTimescale StatusRAGEvidence ofcompletion1 Engage with children and youngpeople to gain a betterunderstanding of CSE anddevelop a programme ofactivities to be used in schools,youth settings, academies etc.which will raise awareness ofthe risks inherent to CSE andreduce risk taking.2 Raise awareness of CSE withinBarnsley borough through aBorough wide awarenessraising campaign. Includetargeted work with hotels andbed and breakfastestablishments, taxi drivers,limousine companies, licensedpremises and fast food takeaways,Barnsley Interchangeand other areas where youngpeople may be particularlyvulnerable, especially in relationDevelopment of Training Materialin consultation with the MultiAgency Safeguarding ChildrenTrainer and BarnardosDevelopment of awarenessraising material, Operation MakeSafe and deliverySYP DCJulie ThorpeKarenHarrisonSYP DCJulie ThorpeA/PSSchofield(SNT)CarolRhodes (re.new taxidrivers)October2013-March2015October2013-December2014Record of trainingcompletedCampaign completed8

to young people with additionalvulnerabilities such as thosewith disabling conditions.3 Core training to be devised anddelivered to all professionalswho come into contact withchildren and young peopleincluding information on warningsigns, the impact of CSE toensure greater victimidentification.To be included as This part ofBSCB Multi Agency TrainingStrategy for 2013-14 and 2014-15.KarenHarrisonandWorkforceManagementandDevelopmentSub Groupof BSCBOctober2013-March2014Revised Trainingstrategy and Plan inplace4 Ensure that CSE is a keyelement of single agencytraining in relevant areas ofCYPFSReview single agency workforcedevelopment training andstrategy. Changes to beimplemented by March 2014AngelaTraceyOctober2013-March2014Revised Trainingstrategy and Plan inplace5 Ensure that CSE is a keyelement of single agencytraining in all LSCB partneragenciesReview single agency workforcedevelopment training andstrategy. Changes to beimplemented by April 2014SharonGalvin chairWMD subgroupOctober2013-March2014Revised Training Plansare in place6 Collate a current baseline ofprovision of services and thelevel of need across theborough, to highlight whereyoung people are receiving anappropriate level of service withparticular focus on those youngpeople with additionalComplete an audit of CSE in theborough using the University ofBedfordshire self assessment tooland the list of warning signs andvulnerabilities. Based on the auditcomplete a gap analysis tounderstand where shortfalls inservice are and the method toRuthHolmesPatStansfieldOctober2013-December2013Audit findings presentedto BSCB January 20149

vulnerabilities e.g. children withdisabilities.address these7 Engage with providers ofresidential child care (LA andprivate, and including fostercarers) to ensure that staff aresufficiently trained to recogniseand respond to the signs ofCSE.Organise training session for theproviders of residential servicesand placements in the BoroughKarenHarrisonPatStansfieldDecember2013Training delivered8 When making placements ofvulnerable children and youngpeople complete a thoroughassessment of the placementbeing considered to includeinformation relating to any risksof CSE within the locality, priorto the placement being made.Ensure that when placements arebeing sought there are additionalquestions being asked andrecorded about the potential risksin the locality.Placement Plans reflect anyadditional requirements/risks ifplacements are madePete HowellSylviaEvansDecember2013Evidence of theinformation collated isavailable for eachplacement considered9 CYPFS Children in Care Teamto work with Barnsley youngpeople wherever they are inplacement to minimise andaddress any identified risk ofsexual exploitation.Training to be made available forthe team to ensure that they areable to undertake the work withthe young people and their carersas requiredKarenHarrisonJanuary2014Training delivered10 Review the function and role ofthe CSER forum in order todevelop a greater strategicoverview of the developmentsThe Forum to use somedevelopment time to review theterms of reference, purpose andfunction.PatStansfieldRuthHolmesDecember2013Forum revised and inoperation10

equired to address CSE.11 Consider developing a multiagency operational functionwhich will link into the work ofthe Stronger Families Teamsand Assessment and JointInvestigation Service dependingon the level of interventionrequired.12 Develop mechanisms to gatherlocal intelligence to identifyoffenders, potential victims and"hot spots."13 Monitor the incidence of youngpeople at risk of being involvedwith CSE, particularly those withadditional vulnerabilities e.g.children with disabilites..The Forum to monitor progressand achievement of this ActionPlan and report direct to theBoard.Managers of the teams to identifyhow this link can be effectivelymade and the appropriateintervention is in placeVia the CSER forum develop andimplement the use of anIntelligence submission form forpartner agencies to completeAll concerns and referrals to beraised with the Safeguarding Unitto ensure data is collated andconcerns acted onMichelleLeadbeaterKathrynSmithSYP - DCJulie ThorpePCC fundedanalystRuthHolmesDecember2013October2013-March2014October2013Link in place whichsupports effectiveworking across theteamsForm needs revisingand re-formatting toensure it can be used bypartner agencieseffectivelyAble to provide data ona regular basis foranalysis14 Ensure appropriate levels ofinformation sharing and datacollection take place on a multiagency basis which includes anagreed method for recordingethnicity, sexual orientation anddisability of victims andperpetrators of CSE.Agreement to be made on thecollation of data and informationsharingSYP DSPhilEtheridgeDecember2013County-wide informationsharing protocol to bedeveloped, commencingwork October 201311

15 Ensure that there are effectivelinks between agencies leadsfor CSE and the servicesavailable for victims via BSARC,Barnardo's and ISVAs basedwith other partner agencies16 Healthy Settings team to becommissioned to undertakework with ALC staff in order toraise awareness with youngpeople of the risks associatedwith sexual exploitation andensure this is communicated toyoung peoplePROTECTIONAgency leads and service leadsto meet bi monthly to review workbeing undertaken and actionsrequiredHealthy Settings Team to arrangesessions with DesignatedSafeguarding LeadsDI SMcMahon -StrategicleadDC JulieThorpe -OperationalLeadVicky KirbyOctober2013-March2014Evidence of ongoingmeetings via notes ofmeetings and actionsSessions delivered17 Adopt a whole family approachto the assessment of youngpeople involved with/at risk ofsexual exploitation withparticular focus on children/young people with additionalvulnerabilities18 Review the areas ofpolicy/practice to ensure thatthey are effective in identifyingthe work required with familiesand young people to effectivelyprotect young people who are atEnsure that Risk AssessmentModel reflects the whole familyapproach to assessmentsUndertake a review of thefollowing areas and identify anyrequired changes topractice/policy and procedures• Use of CAFKayFletcherSYP DCJulie ThorpeSharonCookePeteWilliamsDecember2013October2013-April2014Whole family approachis at the heart ofassessmentsCSE is featured as anarea to consider in theassessment processesand clearer responsesare developed12

isk of involvement with CSE,particularly those children andyoung people with additionalvulnerabilities.• Relationship with StrongerFamilies Teams when low levelconcerns and early interventioncould be the most appropriateresponse• Strategy meeting process toinclude relevant agencies andfamily members• Use of the South Yorkshire RiskAssessment Tool• Completing Care Plans forchildren and young peoplewhere concerns re CSE mustinclude a Safety Plan which isbased on a thoroughassessment of need andexplicitly address the risks theyoung person faces. (Considera prompt on TED Care Planunder the "ensuring safety"outcome). Negotiated with thechild and engage the familysupporting adults and otheragencies including the police asrequired.• Placements for young people(residential/care leavers)assessment to includeconsideration of localityplacement and the supportpackage required to reduce the13

PROSECUTIONlevel of vulnerability.19 Training to include givingprofessionals an understandingof how to provide and recordevidence which can be used tobring prosecutions againstabusers20 Where perpetrators have beenidentified, use disruption tacticsto reduce risks as part ofplanned and proactive movestoward formal investigation andprosecution.Training and Education to bedeveloped and then delivered tocare homes, foster careplacements and CYPFS staffAgreed disruption tactics to beimplemented as requiredKarenHarrisonAngelaTraceyWMD SubCommitteeDI SMcMahonMarch2014October2013Information is addedinto trainingprogrammesEmbedded into practiceand response todisclosures21 Where perpetrators cannot beidentified but are suspected, adisruption plan to beimplemented to reduce risks toyoung people.Agreed disruption tactics to beimplemented as requiredDI SMcMahonOctober2013Embedded into practiceand response todisclosures22 Where specific locations areidentified as "hot spots" adisruption plan is implementedto reduce risks and dispersesuspected perpetrators23 Where prosecutions areprogressed appropriate supportbe provided to victimsAgreed disruption tactics to beimplemented as requiredClarify available services andtheir provisionDI SMcMahonPatStansfieldRuthHolmesOctober2013Embedded into practiceand response todisclosuresOngoing Embedded into practice14

Multi-Systemic Therapy ServiceMST is an intensive way of working with families and works to support parents/carers and other family members to develop and sustain strategies to improvetheir child’s behaviour at home, in school and out in the community. MST isdelivered over a period of three to six months using a variety of techniques basedupon holistic assessment of the child’s ecology. Interventions may focus uponcognitive and or behavioral change, communication skills, parenting skills, familyrelations, peer relations, school performance and or social networks. As such theyare well placed to identify children and young people at risk of exploitation andprovide appropriate support and interventionHealth ProfessionalsSchool nurses, CAMHS staff, sexual health services and other health staff have aduty to share information in order to protect children and young people. Healthprofessionals in specific settings will actively seek to identify and assess the healthrisks posed to young people by exploitative behaviour and enable them to accessprovision.Social CareAgencies should make a referral to Barnsley Social Care or Barnsley PublicProtection Unit whenever there is evidence that a child/young person is beingsexually exploited. Barnsley Social Care will decide a course of action within 24hours. This may involve discussions with other professionals including the policeas a criminal offence may have been committed against a child.In addition Social Care (Safeguarding Children Unit) will hold responsibility forrecording and collating information relating to children and young people referredfor consideration at the CSER Forum.Public Protection Unit, Barnsley, South Yorkshire PoliceThe PPU Team have a key role in the disruption of activities carried out by sexuallyexploitative adults and in bringing about their successful criminal prosecution.The PPU Team will use a wide range of legislation to achieve prosecution anddisruption. The PPU requires close communication and cooperation from agenciesto help protect individual young people and end the activities of perpetrators. PPUrely on partner organisations to share background information on victims, suspectsand vulnerable young people so that informed decisions on joint action can bemade. When an offence has been committed staff from other agencies might findthemselves in a position where they need to secure and/or preserve evidence tosupport a criminal prosecution for example when securing forensic evidence fromthe victim or their clothing. Advice should be obtained from the PPU Team.Voluntary organisationsSome voluntary organisations play a specific role in addressing CSE because theyhave a particular focus. Local organisations include:Safe@last, who work with children and young people who go missing from homeor care and are well placed to identify young people at risk of or involved inexploitation and to work with them to reduce levels of risk;Street Pastors, who provide a service in the town centre to assist those in need,may well identify concerning situations involving young people and have a part toplay in ensuring their immediate safety and well-being;16

Young Addaction play a vital role in supporting young people whose exploitationbrings them into contact with substance misusers and drug dealers;Providers of supported accommodation and other housing providers will be alert toand share information about young persons at risk of exploitation.Contact Details for relevant agencies:BARNSLEY PUBLIC PROTECTION UNIT, SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE:THE TEAM: 01226 736341REFERRALS: 01226 736428LOUISE RIGGS (Barnardos): via PPUBARNSLEY SAFEGUARDING UNIT: 01226 772400ASSESSMENT AND JOINT INVESTIGATION SERVICE: 01226772423/438831BARNSLEY SEXUAL ABUSE & RAPE CRISIS SERVICES HELPLINE: 01226298560.SAFE AT LAST: 0800 335 7233NSPCC: 0808 800 5000CRIMESTOPPERS: 0800 555 111FEARLESS: fearless.org (Young People's version of Crimestoppers, on-linereporting without trace)17