Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It can take many different forms. It can include contact or non-contact activities and can take place online or in person, or a combination of each. Any child or young person can be sexually exploited, regardless of their background; both boys and girls can be abused in this way.

Sexual exploitation is defined by the Department for Education as follows:

Exploitation 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).

Often children and young people are groomed into sexually exploitative relationships and may initially think that their abuser is their 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'. Some young people are engaged in informal economies that incorporate the exchange of sex for rewards such as drugs, alcohol, money or gifts. 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.

Individual needs of the child or young person in relation to all their personal characteristics, including ethnicity, culture, gender and sexuality, are particularly significant where child sexual exploitation is present and should be part of the care plan. The risk assessment needs to consider all of these factors, the interplay of risk and protective elements on the current risk to the child or young person.

A child may have already been sexually exploited before they were admitted to the foster home; others may become targets of perpetrators during their placement. Child sexual exploitation is NEVER the child's fault - even if there is some sort of exchange - all children and young people under the age of 18 have a right to be safe and protected from harm.

Foster carers are in a good position to notice the changes in behaviour and physical signs which can indicate involvement in sexual exploitation. To keep children and young people safe and prevent serious harm it is important to try and identify children at risk of harm from sexual exploitation at the earliest opportunity.

Looked After Children can be more vulnerable to exploitation, as are those with special needs and migrant or unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

It can be difficult for children to tell their foster carers that they are being sexually exploited; initially they may not recognise that they are being abused. Once they are being sexually exploited, threats from their abusers or feeling that may be in some way to blame for their own abuse can make it difficult for young people to ask for help.

The key signs that a child or young person is being sexually exploited are:

• Unexplained money or gifts;
• Going missing (for short and long periods), or during the course of the school day;
• Being distressed or withdrawn on their return home;
• Secrecy around new friends;
• Having additional mobile phones, or worrying use of the internet;
• Sexual health problems, including pregnancy;
• Changes in behaviour/emotional wellbeing;
• Drug or alcohol misuse;
• Secretive behaviour;
• Involvement in criminal activity;
• Unexplained physical injuries.

Foster carers should record details of any concerns they have as this can help identify patterns of behaviour, including potential perpetrators and other children who may be at risk. Concerns should also be shared with the child's allocated social worker or the Children's Social Care Emergency Duty Team (if outside of working hours). If you have concerns that a child is in immediate danger, always ring 999.

If concerns about child sexual exploitation were identified before the child is placed with foster carers, their Placement Plan should contain details of the day-to-day arrangements which have been agreed between the foster carers/the Agency and the placing authority - to keep the child safe.

If a foster carer has concerns that a child is being sexually exploited or is at risk of being exploited, they should always share these with the child's allocated social worker and their supervising social worker or the Agency, so that action can be taken to safeguard the child. Sexual exploitation of a child who is in foster care is considered a 'significant event' and must be reported to Ofsted by the Agency.

Remember if there are any concerns that a child is in immediate danger, always ring 999.

Strategies for supporting children:

• Building positive relationships with children is vital to identifying sexual exploitation and supporting children through their experiences:
  • Foster carers should be supportive, non-judgemental and ready to listen to children when and if they need to talk;
  • Foster carers should look beyond challenging behaviour; if children are aggressive, secretive or going missing ask what might be going on in their lives?
  • Share information - When children who are known to be at risk of sexual exploitation go missing, this should be reported promptly to the police and the child's social worker so they can take action to locate them and return them to safety;
  • Whenever children who have been missing return to the foster home they should be made welcome and offered care and support;
  • Building good links with the child's education providers will help to ensure that foster carers are notified promptly if a child does not arrive at their education establishment so protective can be taken.

Caring for a child who is being sexually exploited can be a stressful and upsetting experience, and foster carers should be supported in this role by the Agency. A good effective risk assessment in the placement plan is key to safeguarding the child or young person. This needs to be reviewed regularly by the multi-disciplinary team to make sure the plan is current and supportive of child/young person and the foster carers.

For some children, a move to a different foster home may need to be considered to keep the child or young person safe. This should be discussed with the child, their parents / carers, the child's allocated social worker, the foster carers, the supervising social worker and the Independent Reviewing Officer.

For children who are leaving care, the Personal Adviser and/or Adult Social Care worker should be made aware of the concerns so that they can continue to offer support when the young person moves to other accommodation.

A significant number of children and young people who are being sexually exploited may go missing from their foster home or school/education provider. Some go missing frequently; and the more often they go missing the more vulnerable they are to being sexually exploited. If a child goes missing, the Missing Children Procedure should be followed.