Children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE)

What is Child Exploitation?

Children and young people who are sexually or criminally exploited or at risk of exploitation are victims of child abuse. Where there is evidence that concerns are not being robustly addressed by universal services, who also have a role in protection and disruption, consideration should be given to referring to Children’s Social Care and the Police to implement safeguarding processes, see Making a Referral to Social Care procedure.

Child exploitation relates to forms of child abuse including (but not exclusively) the sexual and criminal exploitation of children under 18 years of age and possibly up to age 25 for children who have Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND); or have previously been in the care of the Local Authority.

Any child who is at risk of or suffering any form of exploitation should be treated as a victim of abuse, regardless of the circumstances of the case. Exploitation of children is a national issue and many parents who have children who are at risk will have made numerous attempts to support their child and disrupt the activity. These parents are integral to the protection of their children and should be considered at the earliest stages in addressing concerns.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) 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.

Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact and may occur as online abuse.

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)  is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes.  The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child criminal exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.

CCE is commonly seen within the County Lines Model of drug supply however criminal exploitation of children is broader than just county lines and includes for instance exploitation of children for local drug supply with their home County or children forced to work on cannabis farms or to commit acquisitive crime, burglary, shop lifting, begging, knife crimes and other weapons offences. Vulnerable adults may also be targeted e.g. their home may be taken over to distribute Class A drugs in a practice referred to as 'cuckooing'.

There are cross cutting themes in all forms of exploitation, any child could be exploited and there can be more than one form of exploitation at any one time. Grooming, issues of consent, fear, violence and moving the child for the purposes of exploitation and underlying vulnerabilities such as neglect are common features of exploitation

Exploitation can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, of any gender, background, ethnicity or culture, and by children or adults. The abuse can be a one-off occurrence or a series of incidents over time, and range from opportunistic to complex organised abuse.

What should I do if I have concerns about CRE?

If you are concerned about a child who is at risk of exploitation please refer to the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures, Children at Risk of Exploitation Procedure.

Always discuss your concerns with the senior person in your organisation who is responsible for safeguarding and child protection. 

If you are a young person, parent or carer, you can contact Children's Social Care to discuss your concerns on the numbers below. 

If you are worried about the immediate exploitation of children and young people, please report it to the police on 999.

Concerns about a child who may be exploited should be reported to;

Derby Children's Social Care on 01332 641172 or Careline (out of office hours) on 01332 956606.

Derbyshire Children's Social Care on 01629 533190

or

Police on 101.

CRE Risk Assessment 

The Child at Risk of Exploitation (CRE) Risk Assessment, should be completed to enable practitioners to assess a child’s level of risk to all forms of exploitation in a quick and consistent manner.

The risk assessment will provide referrers the opportunity to explain why the child is at risk of exploitation:

• Consider vulnerability factors from a current and historic perspective
• Identify indicators of concern that relate to all forms of exploitation but specifically  Child criminal and child sexual exploitation
• Practitioners should provide analysis in line with thresholds and procedures
• Take action to promote the welfare of children who are being or may be exploited.
• Develop individual safety and disruption plans and local prevention strategies to address individual and place-based risk- See Guidance on Intervention and Disruption
• Act against those intent on abusing and exploiting children

Overall, it should be used flexibly to take account of each child’s individuality, culture, identity and beliefs.  The risks assessment is a live document that should be updated regularly and considers the uniqueness of the child’s circumstances and the changes that may occur for them over time. 

• CRE risk assessment (document library, assessment tools)
• CRE Information Report Operation Liberty (document library, report forms and templates)
• Operation Liberty - poster - poster‌‌

The range of services available 

The Derby Children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE) Offer (January 2020)Derby Children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE) Offer (January 2020)Derby Children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE) Offer (January 2020) and Derbyshire Young Person considered to be at risk of Exploitation explain the services that are available in Derby City and Derbyshire County and can help practitioners understand the decision making process when considering a case, depending of the needs of the young person and the level of risk.

The Derbyshire CRE Partnership Arrangements explains the services that are available and the level of risk.

Every agency has an identified CRE Champion and/or safeguarding lead who will be able to provide CRE advice and support.

You can also contact a Child Protection Manager

• Derby Child Protection Managers:  01332 642376
• Derbyshire CRE Child Protection Manager Vulnerable Young People:  01629 532834

Multi-Agency assurance of our arrangements

The DDSCP carried out a multi-agency audit of our local arrangement and a sets out learning for practitioners and managers. See DDSCP Multi-agency audit children at risk of or experiencing exploitation

Information for young people and parents

Information for young people attending a sexual exploitation meeting explains what happens at Derby Child Exploitation Meetings, how they can be involved and who will be there.

Sexual Exploitation - Parents explains what happens at Child Exploitation Meetings and how they as parents or carers might be involved.

Safe Speak

Safe Speak provide help for children and young people aged 5 - 10 years old and 11 - 18 years old. You can phone Safe Speak on

0800 093 5264 (free from landlines) or 01332 349301 

Safe Speak help children and young people with problems with family, friends, bullying and anything that is causing a worry.

Derby and Derbyshire C.A.R.E S (Children at Risk of Exploitation Service) 

The service supports children and young people who are at risk of Child Exploitation (CRE) in Derby and across Derbyshire. Delivering bespoke support and interventions to children and young people to build resilience and aspiration, empowering them to take control of their lives and support them to stay safe.

Safe and Sound 

Safe and Sound provide support directly to children, young people and families in Derby and Derbyshire affected by the abuse and work to ensure that individuals receive the support they need to move forwards in their lives.

CRE Training

The DDSCP multi agency training programme includes e-learning and courses about CRE. See training webpage.

Lucy's Story

The DDSCP has produced two CSE films 'Lucy's Story'  and 'Learning from the Family' which can be used to raise awareness of CSE with staff groups and with older students. The films are available in English, with British Sign Language, Polish and Roma. For more information please see additional training resources page.

Alright Charlie?

A free national gender free CSE resource for primary schools, which includes a film, guidance for professionals and a workbook for pupils. See the Basis website. 

CRE Strategy 

The way in which agencies have agreed to work together to address child sexual exploitation is outlined in the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnerships Children at Risk of Exploitation Strategy and reported annually.‌

'Say Something if you See Something' campaign

Agencies in Derby have signed up to the national 'Say something if you see something' campaign. This campaign, set up by the Children's Society in partnership with the National Working Group has been devised to assist licensed premises to protect children and young people (under 18's) from sexual exploitation, trafficking and other forms of child abuse.

In Derbyshire the responsible authorities (Police, Safeguarding Children Boards, Licensing and Trading Standards, and Environmental Health) and the local licensed trade will work together to have safe and reputable premises where children and young people using those facilities are protected.

'Say something if you see something' resources:

• Controversial statement
• Is it or isn't it?
• Risk assessment
• Child exploitation - campaign poster 1
• Child sexual exploitation - campaign poster 2
• Child sexual exploitation - campaign poster 3
• Say something if you see something presentation

For further information about this campaign, please contact the CSE Child Protection Manager tel: 01332 642376.

Child Sexual Exploitation Learning Review of Operation Kern

A learning review was carried out following a police operation which lead to the arrest and prosecution of 12 males for sexually exploiting girls in Derby. The Learning Review Summary: Operation Kern 2013  sets out the findings of the review.

National Resources 

Child Sexual Exploitation: definition and guidance for practitioners (2017)

Department for Education guidance outlining the definition of CSE, potential vulnerabilities and indicators of abuse and appropriate action to take.  

Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (PACE) 

Pace helps parents across the UK understand what is happening to their child and how parents are the prime agents in helping their child exit exploitative relationships. 

NWG Network

The NWG (formerly The National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People) is a Charitable organisation formed as a UK network of over 12 000 practitioners who disseminate information down through their services, to professionals working on the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and trafficking within the UK.

The NWG Network covers voluntary and statutory services and private companies working in this field. NWG offer support, advice and raise the profile, provide updates, training, share national developments, influence the development of national and local policy informed by practice. 

Key Messages from Research on CSE

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse have produced a number of short key message from research bringing together current research on CSE and the implications for practice and commissioning. 

Spotting the signs of Sexual Exploitation: Film

Health Education England has produced a video aimed at helping health and social care professionals to spot possible signs of child sexual exploitation (CSE). This shows a range of health professionals in a variety of settings interacting with a vulnerable young person presenting with the warning signs of someone at risk of child sexual exploitation.

Breaking Through - Moving on from CSE

Resources from BASIS and York University featuring real life stories of young people moving on from CSE and their advice for young people, parents, carers and professionals.