Purpose - CSE Toolbox



CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION RISK AND VULNERABILITIES ASSESSMENTChild Sexual Exploitation Risk AssessmentPurposeThese risk and vulnerability matrices are intended to help you explore cases where you think children or young people you work may be experiencing or be at risk of sexual exploitation. It is intended to help you think about what the risks might be to the child or young person and what to do about the information you have. The toolbox must be used in the context of your organisation’s policy and procedures for child protection and safeguarding and cannot be treated as a substitute for these. More information about Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is available at cse-toolbox.uk.ProcessFirstly, identify who is involved in the case that you are working on, including any significant family members, friends or network of professionals including foster carers. This includes the child or young person you think may be at risk, anyone who may be putting the child or young person at risk and anyone who takes a part in trying to reduce the risk or protect the child or young person from being exploited.Next, review the indicators of actual CSE present in the case. If you believe that a child or young person is being abused take immediate action, inform the police and children’s social care child protection team. Once you have raised these alerts complete the assessment instruments in this document and share these with the professionals involved in the case.If there are no indicators of actual CSE in the case, consider any indicators of suspected CSE. The presence of these indicators could still result in information sharing with police and children’s social services, however, the urgency of this needs to be counterbalanced by the need to provide as clear and complete a description of the case as possible. Identify and describe any indicators of suspected sexual exploitation recording any information you have about the child or young person and their associates or persons of concern. Besides identifying indicators of exploitation it is crucial to make notes about them too. For example, if you have received reports of the child or young person being taken somewhere by unknown adults it is essential that you record as much detail as possible about who reported this and where the child or young person was being taken.Having reviewed and annotated the indicators of CSE you will need to describe the child or young person’s vulnerabilities. These make them more likely to be targeted for, and susceptible to, sexual exploitation. Vulnerabilities are acquired throughout our lives as a consequence of particular circumstances and personal history so they are hard to anticipate and categorise. For this reason, the vulnerabilities check list only provides an indication of the sorts of things that can make a child or young person vulnerable. If you believe there are other sources of vulnerability specific to the case make a note of these at the end of the intra-personal vulnerabilities checklist.Once you have clarified indications of CSE and the vulnerabilities these combine with you will be able to make a balanced, summative risk assessment. In essence, high level risks are where there is evidence that the child or young person is associating with individuals who are known to have been sexually exploitative in other cases. Cases where there are indicators of involvement with individuals suspected of CSE are rated as medium level risk. All other cases are considered to be at the standard level of risk. These are the threshold conditions for the levels of risk, consequently, when making the summative assessment you should consider whether the child or young person’s vulnerabilities mean that they are significantly beyond these thresholds. If this is your judgment in cases where the indicators suggest standard or medium levels of risk then you should make your assessment at the next highest level. If the case already meets the threshold for high level risk and you consider the vulnerabilities to be significantly elevating the risk then you should act immediately and inform local children’s social services child protection teams and share your concerns with the police.You should always bear in mind other services may have other information about the case. If any of the indicators in Section 5 appear to be an issue in the case, particularly if there is more than one or when it is compounded by vulnerabilities in Section 6, you should speak to other agencies and, where appropriate, the family during the assessment. You should also consider using this toolbox to support discussion with your Designated Officer or to supplement a CAF/Shared Family Assessment or referral to another service including referral pathway for CSE and/or Children’s Social Care.Clearly, throughout the assessment process and whilst recording any information about the case it is important to bear in mind the need to treat sensitive information as confidential. However, it is also worth remembering that rights to privacy and reasonable expectations of confidentiality are not absolute and are limited relative to our duties to safeguard the vulnerable child or young person in our care.If you suspect anyone is in immediate danger, call the Police on 999. If a child or young person is currently at risk of significant harm, including from CSE, refer immediately to your local Children’s Social CareWho is Involved?Who do you believe is being exploited or is at risk of being exploited?NameAgeDate of BirthIdentified GenderMaleFemaleEthnicityCurrent Local AuthoritySchoolLooked After ChildYesNoSupply any specific information about the child or young person that you are concerned about. For example, name or aliases/nick names they use; place(s) of residence; special legal status (e.g. looked after child, refugee/asylum seeker, etc.); cultural and religious heritage; sexual orientation (if known); language(s) spoken; physical disabilities; special educational need(s); learning difficulties and/or disabilities, etc.Record any information or descriptions you have about associates of the child or young person who are a cause for concern or possible suspects. Again, think about names, aliases and nick names; social media names and tags; known places of residence; make, model and registration of vehicles; preferred social venues and online networks/sites, etc.Models of CSE (indicate which of these apply in this case )Inappropriate RelationshipOrganised &TraffickingGangs and GroupsPeer on PeerOlder Boy/GirlfriendOnline GroomingWho is completing this form?NameAgency, role and contact detailsDate CompletedManager/SupervisorIndicators of Actual CSEIn the first set of risk indicators there is no need to scale the level of risk as the indicators are for actual child sexual exploitation or activities of a comparable level requiring rapid and rigorous responses as crimes are likely to have been committed and significant harm is being done to children. As a consequence, any of these indicators require immediate referral to child protection and the police. For further information about these indicators refer to toolbox.Child under the age of 13 engaged in penetrative sex (rape) or any kind of sexual activity with any other person.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates. NB: a child under the age of 13 cannot consent to any sexual activity.Child or young person aged 13 years or over meeting with different adults and/or peers and exchanging or ‘selling’ sexual activities.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates.Receiving money, goods or status (e.g. place in gang hierarchy) for forcing or coercing other children or young people to CSE.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates.Being taken to or trafficked to hotels, clubs, brothels and massage parlours.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates.Abduction and/or false imprisonment.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates.Being groomed online for sexual exploitation.Is this form of abuse taking place?YesNot KnownResponse(s), identify specific professionals and services responding, including dates.Indicators of Suspected CSEWhen responding to each item below you will need to make professional judgements about whether the indicators are present. Use the notes section for each item to explain why you have decided this indicator is present and what evidence you have to support this. If you have no evidence for a risk you need to make a decision about whether this requires further investigation and what you will do about this. Recording your reasons for the decisions you make will help others understand your thinking and remind you at a later date of your specific focus.Within Family/Social Environment Home/RelationshipsChange in behaviour being more secretive/withdrawn/isolated from peers or not mixing with usual friends. Alternatively, increasingly disruptive, hostile or physically aggressive at home or school including use of sexualised language. This could also be seen in estrangement from family.Tell us more …Associating with significantly older person(s) or peers who encourage dependence, loyalty and isolation from safe relationships. They may be boy/girlfriend using emotional manipulation and/or threats/actual abuse/violence against the child/young person or those they care for.Tell us more – record details of adults i.e. names, aliases/nicknames and occupation/description also make, model and registration of any vehicles used.Associating with other sexually exploited children or young people.Tell us more – record details of children i.e. names, aliases/nicknames and where they are meeting, etc.Unusual association with unknown adults or peers, e.g. multiple callers, meeting away from family home, reports of getting into or out of cars with unknown adults or peers increase in social media messaging, texts, etc.Tell us more …Regular periods of unexplained absence from home, care setting or school (whether reported or not). Especially if there is a marked disengagement with school/college work and/or normal activities in the home/care setting.Tell us more …Health Including Emotional and Mental HealthChanges in physical appearance, e.g. weight gain/loss, new clothes, increased use of makeup. This could also include tattoos especially if these are associated with gang membership or activities, i.e. branding with gang signs/tags.Tell us more …Expressions of despair and/or emotional distress. These might include disclosing thoughts of self-harm, suicide, self-loathing, emotional emptiness and hopelessness. Other indicators might include reports or observation of physical marks of self-harming, attempted overdosing, disordered eating behaviours and misuse of diet products.Tell us more …Increased health problems, this is particularly important when the problems relate to sexual health, e.g. recurring testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Higher risk is associated with recurring unplanned pregnancies, miscarriages and terminations.Tell us more …Marks, scars or other evidence of physical injury on the body or face. Particularly where the child or young person attempts to conceal these by altering their dress, hairstyle or use of makeup.Tell us more …Behaviour and ExperiencesUse of internet and other forms of communication, e.g. mobile phone apps/sexting, online gaming consoles, etc. that give cause for concern.Tell us more …Use/misuse of drugs and alcohol, particularly where the source of supply is being concealed or gives cause for concern, e.g. older boy/girlfriend or older friend of partner/friend.Tell us more …Criminal or anti-social conduct/behaviour especially when connected with gang association/membership.Tell us more …Disclosure of sexual/physical assault followed by withdrawal of allegation. Tell us more …Frequenting known CSE hotspots or areas known for on/off street sex work and/or other sites of parallel economic activity.Tell us more – consider modes of transport used, e.g. taxis, tramlines, coaches, etc.Knowledge of towns and cities where the child or young person had no previous connection.Tell us more …Loss of contact with professional network.Tell us more …Appearance and PossessionsPossession of items that give cause of concern without plausible explanation. These might include hotel key cards, keys to unknown property, sums of money, multiple mobile phones/sims, new clothes or jewellery, credit cards, etc.Tell us more …Overtly sexualised dress, particularly where efforts are made to conceal this, e.g. going out with a change of clothes or picking up a change of clothes at a friend’s house.Tell us more …Vulnerabilities ChecklistVulnerabilities are things which may make a child or young person more at risk of being targeted for CSE. They give context to the specific indicators of CSE in the risk assessment matrix. However, the absence of these vulnerabilities does not preclude children being targeted; evidence shows victims can come from any background and without any prior vulnerability. You may not need to complete this section if you are also doing a CAF or other standard risk assessment /referral form as long as, in making your summary of risk, you bear these factors in mind. NB: this list is not exhaustive, if your case includes vulnerabilities that have not been anticipated here use the space provided at the end of the intra-personal vulnerabilities checklist to describe these.Intra-PersonalVulnerabilitiesNotesDisruption to or lack of positive relationship with a protective/nurturing adult. This could include recent bereavement or loss.Physical/Learning Disabilities/communication disorders, e.g. ADHD.Being a young carer.Unsure about or unable to disclose sexual orientation /gender identity to their families/friends.Low self-esteem or history of being bullied or of bullying. This could include homophobic, racial/ethnic or gang associated bullying.Disconnecting from support networks, e.g. family or friendship groups, support/social services, etc.Living in a chaotic or dysfunctional household.Unsuitable or inappropriate accommodation (Including street homeless, staying with inappropriate adults, hostel, B&B, sofa surfing, etc.)Living in a gang neighbourhood (postcode gangs).Gang association either through relatives, peers or intimate relationships.Any other vulnerabilities or observations.Previous or Current Contact with Social and Public ServicesVulnerabilitiesNotesMigrant/refugee/Asylum Seeker/Trafficked status through National Referral Mechanism.Currently or previously known to Children’s Social Care/Child Protection Plan/Looked After Child.Involvement with the Youth Justice system? (if yes provide brief details including type of criminality).Is the child/young person receiving support or services from any other agency, such as drug and alcohol or mental health services?Has sexual exploitation previously been identified as a specific issue for this child? Please provide details.Family Situation and HistoryVulnerabilitiesNotesHistory of/current family domestic abuse (including risk of forced marriage/risk of honour based violence/familial child sexual abuse).History of/current family substance misuse or dependency.History of/current family mental health difficulties impacting parenting. Poverty or deprivation.Family currently or historically involved in exploitation/prostitution.Recent breakdown or disruption of family relationships, e.g. newly arrived member of family, long term hospitalisation, bereavement, custodial sentence, separation/divorce, missing person, etc.Neglect by Parent/Carer/Family member.SummarySummarise vulnerabilities, risks and major causes for concern – you will only be able to complete this once you have looked at specific vulnerabilities, indicators and risksAre there any indicators of actual CSE in the case? If Yes, state these here.If Not Known state what further investigation needs to happen to be able to answer this question.Making your overall assessment of the level of risk:Bear in mind that your determination of the overall level of risk should be reflected where there is known or suspected involvement with persons of concern and/or known perpetrators of exploitation (including where direct or indirect contact is made using online/technologies; or gang associations for example). Persons of concern could be adults, peers, groups, gangs and may not actually be known to you. Vulnerabilities on their own cannot tell us the level of risk a child or young person is at. However, vulnerabilities can heighten a cause for concern that we might have when coupled with indicators of suspected CSE.Description of Child/Young PersonOverall Level of RiskSuggested InterventionsActions TakenThere are no indicators that the child or young person is associating with individuals and/or groups who are either suspected of or known to engage in the sexual exploitation of children or young people. However, there are specific aspects of the child's or young person's thinking, behaviour, appearance, possessions and/or situation that give cause for concern.StandardEducate to keep safe.Contact local children’s services team for recording of initial contact and determine what services (if any) are already in place.Meet with relevant professionals and family members (as appropriate) to plan any work and agree monitoring and reviewing.There are indicators that the child or young person is associating with individuals or groups?suspected of engaging in the sexual exploitation of children or young people. These might be members of the family or family friends; individuals or groups suspected of human trafficking or gang membership; peers engaged in exploitative sexual activity; an older "boyfriend" or "girlfriend", or people who make contact via the internet, telephones/mobiles and similar technologies.MediumAs above.Work with the child or young person on sexual exploitation risk awareness.Contact Police to share intelligence about possible offender(s).Discuss the use of disruption strategies with LSCB/Police.Consider risks and vulnerabilities of other family members or friends of the child/young person.There are indicators that the child or young person is associating with individuals or groups?known?to engage in the sexual exploitation of children or young people. These might be members of the family or family friends; individuals or groups suspected of human trafficking or gang membership; peers engaged in exploitative sexual activity; an older "boyfriend" or "girlfriend", or people who make contact via the internet, telephones/mobiles and similar technologies.HighAs above.Refer to SET procedures and convene strategy meeting inviting lead professional and representatives from relevant agencies (police, probation, education, health, social care, etc.)Agree a multi-agency protection plan identifying direct work to be undertaken with the child/young person, their family and persons of concern.There are indicators of?actual?sexual abuse in the case.Actual Abuse Taking PlaceAlert the police and Children’s Social Care to initiate child protection procedures (e.g. s47 enquiries, criminal investigation).Annex 1 Risk Management PlanObjectives and outcomesWho is doing what to realise this objective?When will this be done/checked?Raise awareness of CSE and relate to the specific circumstances of the child/young person and their family.Disrupt any person who poses a risk to the young person or family.Reduce the risk of missing episodes.Promote sexual health by signposting and supporting access to relevant health services.Corroborate information, protect any evidence and share intelligence with police.Support the emotional needs of the child/young person and their family.Raise awareness of risks of substance misuse and provision of support services.Identify a small team of professionals who will work directly with the family and child/young person in supporting their access to services and collecting and advocating their views.Provide diversionary activities to improve self-esteem.Ensure all relevant people are aware of the level of risk to the young person.Resilience factors: What are these, and how will they be supported?Any other objectives including other services or additional support as required (add extra rows if needed). ................
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