Giving Something Back to Wales! ‘Sharing the Learning from the 9 th BASPCAN CONGRESS held in Edinburgh April 2015’ November 16 th, 2015 Stronger Together: collaborative working to tackle child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Wales Dr Sam Clutton, Assistant Director, Policy, Barnardo’s Cymru

Barnardo’s and CSE Worked in this area since 1995 – first service ‘Street and Lanes’ project, Bradford Successful in raising public, political and professional awareness of sexual exploitation Barnardo’s has sought to influence policy and practice and to develop effective inter agency approaches to service provision for young people Instrumental in redefining the issue as one of child abuse rather than juvenile prostitution Seraf specialist CSE service established in Wales in 2006.

CSE in Wales- establishing the evidence The first research on the nature and prevalence of CSE in Wales 2005 ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ scoping study (184 CYP identified as having been sexually exploited) SERAF risk assessment pilot and development

Categories of Risk Indicators of RiskDescriptionAssociated Safeguarding Actions Category 1 (Not at risk) Score 0-5 No risk indicators but may have 1 or more vulnerabilities present. A child or young person who may be ‘in need’ but who is not currently at risk of being groomed for sexual exploitation. Educate to stay safe. Review risk following any significant change in circumstances. Category 2 (Mild risk) Score 6-10 Multiple vulnerabilities. One or two risk indicators may also be present. A vulnerable child or young person who may be at risk of being groomed for sexual exploitation. Consider multi-agency meeting to share information and agree a plan to address risk and/or need. Work on risk awareness and staying safe should be undertaken with this child/young person. Review risk following any significant change in circumstances. Category 3 Moderate risk) Score Multiple vulnerabilities and risk indicators present. A child or young person who may be targeted for opportunistic abuse through exchange of sex for drugs, accommodation (overnight stays) and goods etc. Convene multi-agency meeting under protocol for sexually exploited children and young people to ensure effective exchange of information with multi-agency colleagues and agree safety plan. At least one review meeting to be convened. Work should be undertaken with this child/young person around risk reduction and keeping safe. Category 4 (Significant risk) Score 16 and above Multiple vulnerabilities and risk indicators. One or more significant risk indicators also likely. Indication that a child or young person is at significant risk of or is already being sexually exploited. Sexual exploitation is likely to be habitual, often self-denied and coercion/control is implicit. Convene multi-agency meeting under protocol for sexually exploited children and young people to ensure effective exchange of information with multi-agency colleagues and agree safety plan, including regular review meetings. Protection plan should include long-term intensive direct work with the child or young person.

All Wales Child Protection Procedures: All Wales Protocol –Safeguarding Children and Young People at Risk of Sexual Exploitation 2008 (reviewed 2013) Principles: CSE is a CHILD PROTECTION matter (including 16 and 17 year olds) CSE is clearly defined Information sharing is key to early identification and protection All agencies have a role in identification and intervention It is possible to evidence risk Responses set out are based on evidence of what works and provide clear guidance on safeguarding actions

Welsh Government Guidance - Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (2011) Develop local prevention strategies Identify those at risk of being sexually exploited - protect Take action to safeguard and promote the welfare of particular children and young people who are being, or may be, sexually exploited and take action against those intent on abusing and exploiting children and young people in this way - prosecute

“…trusting people, because they might be like ‘oh I can help you’ and then that can go bad and can end up being abused and assaulted and raped and all that.” “…the way that they do it is clever but it’s not ….by offering you to go to a party and that and then they get you drunk and they tell you to have some of this and weed and that …..and some men can be really nice and that, offer them food money and a place to stay and they start getting aggressive and saying that you have got to pay for what you owe me so they tell them to sleep with their mates and like its’ just grim”

“if they are under 16 there will be care and that” “people like the police and that will help as well” “it sorted me out having a social worker….because I know the risks of what I was in, so it helped me a lot…. and my school counsellor” “(Name) has always told me that if you want to talk about it and you get upset a lot you can always phone up Barnardo’s or phone up Childline or something like that….which I kind of like that because I am going to miss this. But …I am glad that it is over….Because I am now sorted and that is closure for me ….if I need any help I can always just phone up someone else.”

CSE in Wales-challenges moving forward Earlier intervention, stronger prevention work. Recognising that there are no quick fixes to recovery- needs to be part of a plan to meet care and support needs. Safer accommodation. Protecting 16 and 17 year olds and opportunities to protect after 18 th birthday – Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act- ‘adults at risk’. Boys and young men. Learning disability and CSE. Peer exploitation

Looking ahead: Responding to CSE in Wales Children’s Commissioner for Wales CSE Stakeholders group: holding duty bearers to account Welsh Government National Action Plan on tackling CSE- advisory group 2015 Hidden CSE Education Resource – to be launched December 3 rd Forthcoming: Review of SERAF tool, Definition of CSE, AWCPP Protocol and Statutory Guidance

Thank you