Walsall Safeguarding Children Board
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10.1.4 Protocol for Joint Working with young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation


Contents

  1. Introduction  
  2. Principles 
  3. Identifying Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation 
  4. YPSE Panel  
  5. Responding to Individual Cases  

1. Introduction

1.1 In 2001 supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (1989) was issued. This guidance entitled Safeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution (HMSO 2000) gave local authorities responsibility to establish multi agency forums where issues of sexual exploitation could be discussed and acted upon.  Walsall’s response took the form of a working panel, the Young People At Risk of Sexual Exploitation Panel (YPSE).
1.2 This document replaces the YPSE Protocol operating in Walsall since 2001. Once again it reflects the collaborative effort of statutory and voluntary partner agencies who work together in supporting children and young people who are involved in or at risk of involvement in sexual exploitation and other forms of commercial exploitation, and to vigorously pursue the prosecution of adult perpetrators
1.3

The Children Act 1989 places two specific duties on agencies to co-operate in the interests of vulnerable children, which includes children involved in prostitution.  Section 27 provides that, in exercising its functions under Part III of the Act, a local authority may request help from;

Any local authority
Any local education authority
Any local housing authority
Any Health Authority, Special Health Authority, Primary Care Trust for National Health Service; and
Any person authorised by the Secretary of State or the National Assembly for Wales

Part III of the Act also places a duty on local authorities to provide support and services to Children In Need.

Section 47 also places a duty on all of the above except the National Assembly to help a local authority with its enquiries in cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer Significant Harm.

The Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework, under the outcome of Staying Safe, makes explicit reference to being kept safe from maltreatment, neglect, violence and sexual exploitation” (version 2.0) September 2005.
1.4 This Protocol is consistent with the Walsall Safeguarding Children Board Procedures (as set out in this Manual), with Walsall’s Child Concern Model, the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families and with relevant aspects of Youth Offending Protocols. It also reflects duties under Articles 34, 35 and 39 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.


2. Principles

  • Children and young people at risk of sexual exploitation/abused through prostitution should be treated primarily as the victims of abuse.
  • The primary law enforcement effort must be against abusers and coercers.
  • Soliciting, loitering and importuning by children on the street and in public places are criminal offences - criminal justice action should only be considered when all attempts to divert the child from exploitation have failed.
  • Boys and girls are equally at risk of sexual exploitation.
  • The full extent of childhood sexual exploitation is unknown
  • The commercial exploitation of children is more likely to be hidden from view; working agreements across agencies need to acknowledge this.
  • Sexual exploitation can include the production, sale, marketing and possession of indecent images of children, the distribution of these pictures using the internet and other forms of modern technology, the Trafficking of children within the UK and international borders and sex tourism involving children - see also Children From Abroad (including Trafficking) Guidance.

3. Identifying Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation

3.1 Voluntary and statutory agencies working with sexual exploitation in Walsall see very little evidence of under age prostitution activity on the streets.  Coercers and abusers realise the risks involved in the sexual exploitation of children but also stand to benefit from high rewards.  Whilst there is no single pattern of how children become involved in sexual exploitation an awareness of some of the indicators can lead to early intervention and opportunity to detract young people from an activity which is also linked to violent assault, drug use, and other criminal activity.
3.2

Parents and Carers need to be alert to one or more of the following;

  • Are there changes in friendship groups – is anyone being talked about in particular – have they stopped associating with old friends?
  • Secrecy – Is information being hidden?
  • Are phone calls/text messages becoming concerning – does a young person have unexplained phone credit.
  • Have young people stopped walking out – do they talk of free bus tickets, lifts, taxi rides – (if so, record details).
  • Do they go to different places i.e. out of town, or new areas?
  • Do they regularly eat meals elsewhere?
  • Have they got unexplained cash, jewellery, clothes?
  • Are there concerns about alcohol/drug misuse – do they have a regular supply of cigarettes and no reasonable explanation how these were paid for?
  • Has dress sense/style changed?
  • Has school attendance changed?
  • Is time spent on the Internet of concern?
  • Is knowledge about the ‘virtual world’ of concern.
  • Does web cam use raise suspicion?
  • No acknowledgment of the risks associated with camera phones and what can happen to images?
3.3 Children involved in commercial exploitation may come to the attention of the police in the course of their duties such as during the investigation into drug offences, or in the execution of search warrants.  In such circumstances the police need to be aware of the need to take the necessary immediate steps to safeguard the child and to initiate the process relating to children sexually exploited.  In such situations consideration has to be given to the range of offences that adult offenders can be charged with.
3.4 Health professionals, Youth Services, outreach workers and teachers can often identify young people who are at risk of sexual exploitation. Poor family relationships, poverty, abusive environments, truancy, poor peer relationships, drug/alcohol misuse and a care background can be early indicators of vulnerability to coercers and abusers.
3.5 A young person’s involvement in sexual exploitation may come to the attention of specialist services, drug agencies, Housing Teams, Outreach Services, Genito Urinary Medicine clinicians, pregnancy advisory services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.  Professionals need to work proactively to support young people.


4. YPSE Panel

4.1

The YPSE Panel is managed as a sub group of the Walsall Safeguarding Children Board which measures its performance against the ‘Stay Safe Outcome’ of the Every Child Matters agenda.

The Panel has three strategic responsibilities;

  • To develop and encourage an effective multi agency working relationship that responds to and safeguards young people involved in or at risk of sexual exploitation.
  • To look at ways of detecting and prosecuting those who are involved in the sexual exploitation of children.
  • To improve ways of working in light of knowledge gained through national and local experience and research to ensure that information is shared, understood and actioned.

Panel meets bi monthly, chaired by a representastive of Children’s Social Care Services, to share information about young people. Its status is equal to that of a Child Protection Conference and agencies are expected to contribute to the decision-making process.  
4.2 In addition to this, should referrals be made in the period between the date when the Panel usually meets, a Working Group consisting of a minimum of three agencies will meet within 10 days of a referral to look at action planning.
4.3 Working Together to Safeguard Children (2006), in response to developments in sexual exploitation discusses the safeguarding and promoting of the welfare of children who may be particularly vulnerable; this includes Child Abuse and Information Communication Technology (ICT) and child victims of Trafficking.  Training in respect of these issues is reflected within the Safeguarding Children Board Training Plan and is presented by Panel Members.
4.4

Panel Membership

Children and Young People’s Social Care Services
TPCT designated child protection staff
Connexions
Jigsaw Project
Youth Offending Service (YOS)
SAFE Project
T3 Drug Services
Education Welfare
Walsall Police
Youth Service
GUM
4.5

The Jigsaw Project

Jigsaw is part of Walsall Street Teams who have a long-standing contractual relationship with the local authority to provide services to young people under the age of 18 at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation.
4.6 The majority of direct work in Walsall is undertaken by Jigsaw staff and they are available to assist, they can be involved from Stage 1 of the YPSE process and will offer guidance and support to professionals in respect of the assessment process, will contribute to a Common Assessment (CAF), attend Child Concern Model meetings and sit on Core Groups via Child Protection Conferences where appropriate.  They also provide awareness training in schools to children and young people via Soloman and CEOP’s Training (ICT issues).
4.7

Youth Offending Service (YOS)

It is acknowledged that the emphasis of the work in respect of sexual exploitation is to treat those involved in commercial sexual exploitations as victims of child sexual abuse rather than perpetrators of a crime. Every attempt should be made to divert young people from the criminal justice system although it is acknowledged that at some point there will be no option but to take this route.  In these circumstances the role of the Youth Offending Service and the Police is clear.
4.8 Where young people are being discussed in YOS Fora and there are concerns about possible Anti Social Behaviour Orders or prosecutions, this information should be shared with the YPSE Panel.  It is recognised that dual processes may be in place; the role YOS will play within action planning will be detailed accordingly.
4.9

The Police

Involvement by the Police on Panel is represented by both Walsall and Bloxwich via the Community Safety Bureau (CSB); there will however be occasions where more specific expertise is required in respect of criminal investigations.  There is agreement in place therefore for requests to be made via the Designated Sergeant in the CSB for matters to be referred to CID for further discussion should concerns exist.  This process is overseen by the Police Commander who meets with Panel Members on a bi annual basis.


5. Responding to Individual Cases

5.1 The specific circumstances and the immediate level of concern will determine the response.
Stage 1:

Concerns about a child/young person,

  1. Reference should be made to the Common Assessment Framework and the Child Concern Model, which considers areas of vulnerability, and the response agencies should provide.
  2. Where there are concerns at Level 2 or above of the Child Concern Model, a referral should be made to Children's Social Care Services for advice.  A decision will be made as to whether work under the Child Concern Model should continue or whether an Initial Assessment should be undertaken in line with the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and Their Families.  Should a joint assessment be required, discussion should be held with the Police and Jigsaw to determine risk.

    NB. Services should be offered in parallel with assessments.

    A YPSE Panel Meeting can be called within 10 days to agree an action plan to support young people and to collate information or any known abusers.  This information will be made available to the Police.

    Where an alleged abuser has been identified consideration should be given to a Strategy Discussion taking place.
Stage 2:

Outcome of a Panel Meeting may be;

  • Existing providers continue to work to safeguard the young person; ongoing advice and support from YPSE may be agreed
  • YPSE formulate a support plan to include direct intervention from services represented on the Panel
  • An initial plan or a Child’s Plan, in line with the Integrated Children’s System (ICS) is required to monitor a young person’s wellbeing. In these circumstances the services will be accessed or delivered by Children's Social Care Services. This will require Children's Social Care Services to identify an allocated worker.
  • To recommend a Child Protection Conference.
  • A recommendation that a young person is at immediate risk of Significant Harm and that alternative care provision should be provided. At this point a multi agency complex needs meeting (MAC) will be convened by Children’s Social Care Services..
Stage 3: Ongoing monitoring of the situation will take place at subsequent YPSE meetings.


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