Tackling Child Exploitation (CE)

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) are running a partnership campaign to raise awareness of all aspects of Child Exploitation, how to identify it and how to report it.

Children that come to notice must be treated as children, whatever the circumstances they find themselves in.

Recognise the signs of Child Exploitation:

Parents, carers and professionals coming into contact with children are urged to look out for signs of CE.

The signs can be difficult to identify, young people who are being exploited may:

• be involved in abusive relationships, intimidated and fearful of certain people or situations;
• hang out with groups of older people, or anti-social groups, or with other vulnerable peers;
• associate with other young people involved in exploitation;
• get involved in gangs, gang fights, gang membership;
• have older boyfriends or girlfriends;
• spend time at places of concern;
• not know where they are, because they have been moved around the country; and
• go missing from home, care or education.

This is not an exhaustive list and indicators can change over time. For a fuller list see the NSPCC website or see the NSCP Child Exploitation Guide.

#ImBeingExploited

#ImBeingExploited is our powerful short film, produced in conjunction with police and partners across Northamptonshire. The film aims to raise awareness of this growing area of safeguarding. You can view the film below or visit our dedicated #ImBeingExploited webpage here.

What are we doing in Northamptonshire?

Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and the agencies responsible for children’s safeguarding in Northamptonshire are determined to do all they can to prevent similar failings identified within those reports.

NSCP is ensuring that work to combat CE is co-ordinated, to do this we have created a Sub Group of the Partnership dedicated to looking at our approach to Child Exploitation.

We developed an Action Plan and Strategy to tackle the issues through a multi-agency approach. This sets out how we will assess and reduce risk, prevent harm, challenge and disrupt activities and provide an enhanced, effective service.

About this campaign:

The Partnership are committed to the #ImBeingExploited campaign will be an ongoing film with a variety of assests and information used throughout the lifetime of the campaign. The partnership are currently in the process of producing a range of leaflets, posters and resources to accompany the film. To keep up to date with the latest news make sure you follow us on social media and check out the CE Resources page below.

Information for practitioners:

Practitioners and professionals should be aware of NSCP policies and procedures relating to CE which can be found in the NSCP Procedures Manual. 

In addition, please see the latest guide, assessment tool and resources webpages:

• NSCP Child Exploitation Guide
• Child Exploitation Risk Assessment Framework (CERAF)
• Child Exploitation Resources
• Child Exploitation Information inc definition 

Last updated: 30 November 2023