National CSE helpline for young people: 116 000

Young people can now call and text a national helpline to discuss concerns about themselves or others in relation to CSE.

Young people will be responded to 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year by trained and experienced staff and volunteers who will offer the chance to share information with police.

The Department for Education (DfE) has funded this initiative between NWG Network and the charity Missing People to raise awareness of CSE and to encourage young people to report and seek assistance through a 24/7, free, anonymous helpline: 116 000. This may be particularly useful in supporting children who are wary of discussing their concerns. The helpline is operated by the charity Missing People.

This service compliments local partnership work by providing a unique method for children to report CSE while also supporting and safeguarding them. The helpline will do this by providing non-judgmental support as well as signposting and referral to relevant local services, in addition to passing shareable information through to police.

NWG network brings more than 700 safeguarding agencies together to share best practice, seeking to ensure a joined-up, effective response to CSE. Their existing campaign “Say Something if you see Something” (also known as ‘Operation Makesafe') enables workers in the night-time economy to report signs of CSE; this has already resulted in a number of arrests. The development of this new service is an extension of the above campaign in response to youth consultation.

Missing People has 20 years' experience supporting children and young people and their families affected by missing, many of whom are at risk of, or experiencing CSE.

Last updated: 02 August 2023