Multi-Agency Sexual Exploitation (MASE) Panel Terms of Reference
Aims
The Harrow Multi-Agency Sexual Exploitation (MASE) Panel has been established to develop a detailed overview of both child sexual exploitation (CSE) and harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) within the borough and to use this profile to inform multi-agency work priorities including the development of appropriate prevention and intervention strategies.
The remit of the MASE panel is to implement the Harrow CSE strategy at community level in order to reduce the risk to the community of CSE activity, and promote a safe environment for all young people in Harrow.
The MASE panel provides a multi-agency approach to assessing cases of children and young people who are perceived to be at risk of CSE. The panel will consider cases of any children or young people under 18 in Harrow.
The MASE panel will aim to reduce the risk to children and young people at risk of, or experiencing sexual exploitation or at risk of demonstrating harmful sexual behaviour, by building an understanding of the links between victims and perpetrators, identifying emerging themes and trends, and using these to inform diversionary measures and tactical interventions.
The MASE panel will also assess cases in respect of perceived perpetrators of CSE in the borough to inform the Harrow CSE profile and tactical response through Prepare, Prevent Protect and Pursue with evidence all aspects of vulnerability and areas of risk so that partnership activity can be efficiently coordinated and priorities assigned for most effective interventions for victims and perpetrators of CSE.
· Using this information to identify:
o the level and nature of CSE activity in the borough
o the identification of and support and intervention to CSE cases
o locations within the borough where CSE activity and/or grooming is taking place by perpetrators of CSE
o links between victims, perpetrators and locations
o evidence of organised CSE activity, “targeting” of schools, clubs or other establishments by perpetrators and gang related CSE
o trends and emerging issues related to CSE and its impact on young people
o inform online preventative strategies and education
o support the prosecution of CSE perpetrators
o linking with the multi-agency partners to share intelligence on identified young people at risk/are of a victim or a perpetrator of CSE.
o linking with multi-agency partners and providers to address and support the children and young people who are victims of CSE and display Harmful Sexual Behaviours (HSB).
· Assessing the effectiveness of current actions and strategies to prevent or disrupt CSE
· Agreeing a multi-agency action plan to promote prevention of CSE, disrupt CSE activity in the borough and take action against known perpetrators.
Agencies who are committed to attending the MASE panel:
Police (Borough Police, Regional Sexual Exploitation Team, Missing Persons)
Children’s Social Care (Children’s Access Teams, Children In Need, Corporate Parenting, Safeguarding and Care (Children In Need, Corporate Parenting, Quality Assurance)
Health (Safeguarding Children’s Nurse, Sexual Health, Specialist CLA Health, School Nurse, CAMHS
Youth Offending Team
Community Protection Team
IGNITE Trust
COMPASS
Attendance
Named single points of contact (SPOCs) from each agency are expected to attend MASE panel meetings along with any specialist providers. If a named SPOC is unable to attend for any reason then they should identify a representative to attend in their place.
Frequency and Organisation of the MASE panel
The MASE panel will meet on a monthly basis.
Categories of Risk
The MASE panel will use the categories allocated to children/young people at their multi-agency strategy meeting(s) and their completed SAFEGUARD Tool. (This is subject to review in MASE). The MASE Panel will systematically evaluate the risk for each child, using the SAFEGUARD risk assessment tool and record the rationale for the agreed categorisation of risk.
Risk categories for young people at risk of, or experiencing CSE:
Category 1 (at risk)
A vulnerable child or young person, where there are concerns they are being
targeted and groomed and where any CSE warning signs have been identified.
However, at this stage there is no evidence of any offences.
Category 2 (medium risk)
Evidence a child or young person is being targeted for opportunistic abuse through
the exchange of sex for drugs, perceived affection, sense of belonging,
accommodation (overnight stays), money and goods etc. This will also include a child or young person being sexually exploited through the use of technology and without the child or young person receiving any reward ie. the exchange of indecent images on-line. The likelihood of coercion and control is significant.
Category 3 (high risk)
A child or young person whose sexual exploitation is habitual, self-denied and where
coercion/ control is implicit. This is often carried out by multiple perpetrators.
Information Sharing:
All cases and information should be referred to the MASE panel at least 10 days in advance of the date of the next panel convening. Case workers should provide a summary of the relevant information. Other panel members are responsible for providing information from their agencies on relevant cases.
MASE Panel members will be sent a reminder one week prior to the next meeting advising them of outstanding actions and requesting submission of intelligence on new and review cases.
Process:
Referral forms are available from the MASE panel coordinator via the , with MASE panel in the subject line.
Completed forms need to be provided to the panel coordinator at least 10 days before the panel convenes; Cases must be distributed 5 days before the panel convenes, to allow other agencies and stakeholders time to collect relevant information.
The MASE panel coordinator should collate the information into a simple digital format to be presented by the Chair. The panel administrator will take notes of the panel discussion and note the outcome of each case.
Accountability & Reporting
The MASE panel will report to the Harrow Safeguarding Children’s Board ‘Sexual Exploitation Sub-Committee Working Group’ through the Service Manager for Children’s Access Teams and the CSE Co-ordinator.
MASE Panel Agenda
Victims
Offenders
Locations
Themes
New Cases
Victims-
a. Presentation of all new CSE cases (post strategy meeting)
& any significant updates on current cases. (Level of risk in line with London Protocol (Level1-3) A summary of information, agencies involved, proposed or identified interventions and case management.
b. In Case of Emergency (ICE) cases (If applicable)
Review Cases
Progress of case and any issues i.e. agency involvement or strategic issues in
relation to resources
Cross border issues
Identification of trends, review of liaison/joined up working with neighbouring
Boroughs
Locations & Themes
Issues identified from problem profile and progress against issues identified.
Identification of other agencies/departments that may need to be involved
*Definition
Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative
situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or
persons) receive ‘something’ (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes,
affection, attention, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, or others performing
on them, sexual acts or activities. Child sexual exploitation grooming can occur
through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition; for example
being persuaded to post sexual images on the Internet/mobile phones without
immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person
have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength
and/or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidation are
common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by
the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their
social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability.
(Department for Children, Schools and Families, 2009)
September 2016