“Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child Sexual Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology"
HM Government 16.2.2017
In this document‘child’ refers to anyone under the age of 18 (as defined by The Children Act 1989 / The Children and Families Act 2014)
Child Sexual Exploitation is never the victim’s fault, even if there is some form of exchange: all children and young people under the age of 18 have a right to be safe and should be protected from harm.
It can affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex;
• it can still be abuse even if the sexual activity appears consensual;
• it can include both contact (penetrative and non-penetrative acts) and non-contact sexual activity;
• it can take place in person or via technology, or a combination of both;
• it can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and may, or may not, be accompanied by violence or threats of violence;
• it may occur without the child or young person’s immediate knowledge (through others copying videos or images they have created and posting on social media, for example);
• it can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and children or adults. The abuse can be a one-off occurrence or a series of incidents over time, and range from opportunistic to complex organised abuse; and
• it is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the abuse. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, sexual identity, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.
For further information:
Purpose of this assessment
Thepurpose of this assessment is to identify childrenwho you believe might be at risk of Child Sexual Exploitation or who are already being sexually exploited in order to inform further action required.
The tool guides the assessor through the identification of vulnerabilities, behaviours, environment, relevant concerns, indicators as well as protective factorspresent in a child who might be at risk or experiencing sexual exploitation. However, professionals also need to exercise professional judgement and curiosity. You will need to discuss the subject areas with the child and his/her carer/ parents and other professionals involved with the family.
If there is insufficient information to complete a field, please leave blank.
Who should complete an assessment?
Any professional working with children should undertake anassessment if they have concerns about a situation relating to Child Sexual Exploitation. Youshould liaise with the child’s lead practitioner or social worker about your concernsso that thisassessment can be completed within the individual’s record and ensure any actions are coordinated.
What should you do once you complete an assessment?
Once you have completed the assessment please follow the guidance at the end of this form.
If a child is in immediate danger call 999
CSE Risk Guidance
Low Risk
Description
- The child’s circumstances in section 4 make them slightly more vulnerable to CSE and / or there may be some concerns about behaviours or associations identifiedthat slightly increases the risk of CSE. They are not considered to be a current target for grooming or exploitation.
- They have needs that can be addressed by a single agencyto prevent any escalation in risk.
- Consider Early Help Assessment, identifying a lead practitioner with work on risk awareness, staying safe and appropriate relationships, work with parents
- Consider submission to the MACSE meeting(Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation) for information sharing
- Consider sharing the CSE Risk Assessment at the next MACSE meeting (Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation) for information sharing to ensure a full picture of the CSE risk has been developed.
- Actions to prevent/ protect and disrupt CSE need to be part of the child’s multi-agency plan.
- Lead Practitioner toreview risk as part of the child’s plan every 6 months or following any change in circumstances.
Medium Risk
Description
- The child’s circumstances make them vulnerable to CSE and / or there are concerns about behaviours or associations that could develop into sexually exploitative situations without a change in circumstance. There may be some changes in presentation but it is not considered this indicates grooming or exploitation.
- The Young Person’s needs require a multi-agency response to address CSE concerns and reduce risk.
- Consider Early Help interventions. For example, if not already in place, undertaking an Early Help Assessment, identifying a lead practitioner or ringing the REACH (Reducing Exploitation and Absence from Care and Home) team for consultation/ advice via MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) consultation line.
- Convene Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting to agree CSE Prevention and Protection actions.
- Contact the MASH(Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)(0345 155 1071)if you are unsure about the level of risk and whether to make a MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) enquiry.
- Submit CSE Risk Assessment to next MACSE meeting(Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation) for information sharing to ensure a full picture of the CSE risk has been developed.
- Consider submission of CSE Risk Assessment to next MACSE meeting (Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation) for information sharing to ensure a full picture of the CSE risk has been developed.
- Actions to prevent/ protect and disrupt CSE need to be part of the child’s multi-agency plan.
- Lead Practitioner to review risk as part of the child’s plan every 3 months or following any change in circumstances
High Risk
Description
- The child’s circumstances make them vulnerable to CSE and / or there are significant concernsaboutbehaviours or associations that suggest the young person may be exploited at any point. It is highly likely there are changes in presentation. The child may be being groomed or;
- The child’s behaviours, associations or changes in presentation suggest they are being sexually exploited.
- The child has complex needs that require multi-agency child protection action.
- Consider Early Help interventions. For example, if not already in place, undertaking an Early Help Assessment, identifying a lead practitioner or ringing the REACH (Reducing Exploitation and Absence from Care and Home) team for a consultation/ advice via MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) consultation line.
- Convene Team Around the family meeting to agree CSE Prevention and Protection actions.
- Multi-agency strategy meeting may be required to determine CSE Prevention, Protection, Disruption and Treatment actions. An effective response must prioritise the identification, disruption and prosecution of suspected perpetrators and the identification of the child’s social network to understand if other children are at High Risk.
- Consider submitting CSE Risk Assessment to next MACSE meeting(Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation)for information sharing to ensure a full picture of the CSE risk has been developed
- Contact the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) (0345 155 1071) if you are unsure about the level of risk and whether to make a MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) enquiry.
- Actions to prevent/ protect and disrupt CSE need to be part of the child’s multi-agency plan.
- Checkpoint referral if it is known that the child has been exploited.
- A multi-agency strategy meeting may be required to determine CSE Prevention, Protection, Disruption and Treatment actions. An effective response must prioritise the identification, disruption and prosecution of suspected perpetrators and the identification of the child social network to understand if other children are at High Risk.
- Submit CSE Risk Assessment to next MACSE meeting (Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation) for information sharing to ensure a full picture of the CSE risk has been developed.
- Lead Practitioner to review risk as part of the child’s plan every 3 months or following any change in circumstances.
- Details of the Person Completing the CSE Risk Assessment
Name of the practitioner
Agency or Service
Job Title
Contact email address and phone number
Nameof SafeguardingLead
Date of assessment
- Young Person’s Details
Name
Aliases or known as
Age and DOB
Care first number
Social worker name and contact details
Early Help Lead practitioner name and contact details
Police Log number/ URN number/crime reference number
GP contact details
NHS number
Number of GP moves
How does the child describe their:
Gender
Religion
Ethnicity
Sexual orientation
Language spoken
Address / No & Street
Town
Postcode
Type of accommodation
Number of house moves (last 12 months)
Telephone Number / House
Mobile
Open to Children’s Social Work? / No / ☐
Child in Need / ☐
Child Protection / ☐
Child in Care – Devon Child / ☐
Child in Care – Child from other Local Authority / ☐
Care Leaver / ☐
Unknown / ☐
Education Status / In full time education / ☐
Post 16 education / ☐
Post 16 training or employment / ☐
Electively home educated / ☐
International student / ☐
Reduced timetable / ☐
Not on school roll/NEET / ☐
School/Education Establishment attended/ on roll
Type of school
School attendance
Any exclusions?
No. of school moves in last 12months
Start date of current school/ educational establishment
- Family and child information
Parents/carers name and details
Please record the views of the child. When did you share the tool with them? Please consider their views in relation to each section of this assessment. If you have been unable to share this risk assessment tool with the child, please give the reasons
Have you advised the child that you may be sharing the information with other agencies?
Please record the views of the parents/carers. When did you share the tool with them? Please consider their views in relation to each section of this assessment. If you have been unable to share this risk assessment tool with the parents/ carers, please give reasons.
Have you advised the parent/ carers that you will be sharing the information with other agencies?
- Vulnerabilities
Practitioners should not rely on ‘checklists’ alone but should make a holistic assessment of vulnerability, examining risk and protective factors as set out in the statutory guidance Working Together.
CSE can occur without any of the vulnerabilities being present.
☐ / Prior experience of neglect, physical and/or sexual abuse
☐ / Lack of stable or safe home environment now or in the past(including lack of parental supervision, parental substance use, domestic abuse, parental mental health issues, parental criminality, )
☐ / Social isolation or social difficulties
☐ / Conflict at home
☐ / Estranged from family
☐ / Poor emotional well-being such as low mood
☐ / Diagnosed mental illness
☐ / Suicidal ideation (current or historic)
☐ / Absence of safe environment to explore sexuality and gender
☐ / Gender identity
☐ / Sexual orientation identity
☐ / Economic vulnerability
☐ / Homelessness or insecure accommodation status
☐ / Inappropriate sleeping arrangements
☐ / Learningdisabilities
☐ / Physical disabilities
☐ / Young carer
☐ / Recent bereavement or loss of close family or friend
☐ / Separation or divorce of parents
☐ / Connection with others who are being sexually exploited
☐ / Family members or associates in adult sex work
☐ / Substance misuse
☐ / Exposure to pornography/ indecent images /sexting
☐ / Pregnancy testing/ Sexually transmitted infections/terminations
☐ / Migrant/ Refugee/Asylum Seeker
In your opinion how do the vulnerabilities you have ticked impact on the risk of CSE?
- Protective Factors
Please provide details of any relevant protective factors that are in place within the young person’s life. Please include the name of any specific individuals who have the best relationship with the child. Protective factors include:
Protective Factor / Comment
☐ / Parents/carers and family network
☐ / Social relationships/environment
☐ / Professional/voluntary agencies working with the child
☐ / Young person’s own resilience
In your opinion how do the protective factors you have identified impact on the risk of CSE?
- Missing History
☐ / The child has missing episodes.
Period / Missing
Last month
Last 3 months
Last 6 months
Last 12 months
The child is considered to be at the following risk when they go missing (from return home interview risk assessment)
☐
High Risk / ☐
Medium Risk
Who/What/Where is the child running to? (pull factors)
Who/What/Where is the child running from? (push factors)
☐ / There is no reliable information about what the child does or where they go
☐ / The Child is not engaging with Return Home Interviews
☐ / Child disappears from support networks (friends, school, agencies ) for extended periods
☐ / There aremissing episodes not being reported to police, if yes include details below
In your opinion how does the missing information contribute to the risk of CSE?
Please consider and include any relevant information from previous Return Home Interviews.
- Digital behaviourconcerns
☐ / The way the child is using social media puts them at increased risk of being groomed or exploited
Which social media site is being used e.g. snapchat and the child’s online user name / Full name of requester (and age/DOB) / Details of concern (what was sent, to who and when, for example explicit images, are they being coerced by repeat requests, substances, gifts or threats etc?)
☐ / Child has a second mobile phone (include number if known)
☐ / The use of online devices is secretive
☐ / There is parental/ carer oversight of the child’s digital activity
In your opinion how does the child’s digital behaviour contribute to the risk of CSE?
- Associates, friends and relationships of concerns
☐ / Is the child meeting or spending time with particular people who are a concern either socially, at school, other formal settings or via the internet? This could include peers, partners, adults or children.
Full Name / Age / DOB / Relationship / What’s the concern: please be explicit if there are concerns around potential or previous CSE involvement. / Any related location of concern
Guidance for what’s the concern?
- The person is grooming the child for abuse or exploitation
- Believed to be involved in grooming / exploitation
- Known to be involved in grooming / exploitation
- Inappropriate power or control over the young person (physical, emotional, financial)
- Child is in a relationship where the age difference is a concern
- Person has taken advantage of a situation when the child was vulnerable for sex
- Hosting parties where drink / drugs
- Introducing child to wider network of associates and encouraging new sexual relationships
- Gang or criminal association or associating with other adults of CSE concern
- Known to be meeting the person for sex in exchange for money, drugs or other gifts
- Person has offered money in return for “modelling” / photo sessions or other activities
- Meeting unknown people following initial contact online or through other forum
- Another connected young person who also may be at risk
- Supplies drugs, or alcohol to under 18s
- Getting in and out of unknown vehicles
In your opinion how do the child’s relationships contribute to the risk of CSE?
- Locationconcerns
☐ / Is the child going to places that are of a concern?
Address / location / Postcode / When is location being visited / Details of concern
Guidance for location concerns:
- Visiting or going missing to known CSE hot spot locations e.g., carpark, local park, hotel, someone’s home
- Having access to premises unknown to parents/carers
- Seen /or picked up, in known location of concern
- Child describes being “locked in”, or prevented from leaving a location
- Child is being sexually exploited at location
In your opinion how do the locations named contribute to the risk of CSE?
- Vehicle concerns (including other forms of transport such as buses, taxis and trains)
☐ / Being seen getting into unknown / suspicious vehicles
When and where / Make, model, colour / Vehicle Registration Number
Please give details of other forms of transport/ routes that you are concerned about.
In your opinion how do the vehicle concerns contribute to the risk of CSE?
- Presentation concerns
☐ / Has any aspect of the child’s presentation recently changed that may indicate they are at risk of, or being sexually exploited?
Possessions: / ☐Acquisition of money, clothes, mobile phones etc. without plausible explanation;
Behaviours / ☐Gang-association and/or isolation from peers/social networks
☐Leaving home/care without explanation and persistently going missing or returning late;
☐Returning home under the influence of drugs/alcohol
☐Excessive receipt of texts/phone calls
☐Relationships with controlling or significantly older individuals or groups
☐Increasing secretiveness around behaviours;
☐Expressed suicidal thoughts, planned suicide or attempted suicide
☐Self-harm or significant changes in emotional well-being
☐ Become difficult or challenging at home or school.
☐Changes in attainment
☐Exclusion or unexplained absences from school, college or work;
☐Started to act older than their age, particularly with respect to relationships.
☐Multiple callers (unknown adults or peers);
☐Making allegations or disclosures which are then retracted
Appearance / ☐Appearing well cared for after periods of absence
☐Attempting to make themselves appear older than they are by changing, hair, clothes or make up.
☐Weight loss or neglect of self-care
Health / ☐Repeated use of emergency contraception
☐Obtaining large quantities of condoms
☐Inappropriate sexualised behaviour for age/sexually transmitted infections
☐Evidence of/suspicions of physical or sexual assault
☐Physical injuries such as bruising indicative of physical or sexual assault,
☐Repeat pregnancy testing
☐Multiple terminations or abortions,
In your opinion how does the child’s change in presentationcontribute to, or indicate the risk of CSE?
- Analysis of risk
Current Level of Child Sexual Exploitation Risk(using the guidance on the first page) / High / Medium / Low
Has the child experienced Child Sexual Exploitation? / Yes/No
Is this current? / Yes/No
Evidenceof other form(s) exploitation e.g. drug trafficking, trafficking, modern day slavery / Yes/no
Are there any gaps in information about this child that you need assistance to fill?
Analysis of risk which takes into account all the sections on the form
What do you think needs to happen next? Please consider PREVENT, PROTECT, DISRUPT, TREAT
Where to send assessment
Please note the submission of this assessment does not constitute an action to protect the child. If the child needs protecting consider what action you can take now. If a child is in immediate danger call 999.
MACSE Meeting (Missing and Child Sexual Exploitation)
In order for a case to be submitted to a MACSE meeting for information sharing send this assessment to:
Please be explicit in why you are submitting to MACSE:
- to gather more information about the child and their networks
- to share information with local professionals
- to seek support and advice from other agencies
- Other (please provide details)
- PLEASE CONSIDER THAT CSE HAS NO COUNTY BORDERLINE AND YOU MAY NEED TO CONTACT MACSE MEETINGS OUTSIDE OF DEVON.
- MACSES ARE NOT AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE MECHANISM AND DO NOT REPLACE EXISTING PROCEDURES FOR CHILD PROTECTION CONCERNS OR INDIVIDUAL CASE PLANNING.
- YOU NEED TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN APPROPRIATE ACTION TO KEEP THIS YOUNG PERSON SAFE
Early Help(Needs to be met by coordinating multiple services)
You will need to obtain family consent to share information and complete an Early Help Assessment. You will also need to enter and share information on “Right For Children”, identify a Lead Practitioner and hold Team Around the Family (TAF) meetings. Additional support may be identified by completing a Request for Additional Services form and submitting to the Early Help triage meeting.
You may need to make referrals to specialist services e.g. CAMHs, Education Welfare, Drug and Alcohol services, Domestic Abuse services, Young Carers, Job Centre Plus, Children with Disabilities.
For further advice contact the Early Help locality officer or email the Early help mailbox.
MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub):
If you are making a MASH enquiry please send this assessment with the MASH enquiry form to:
If you believe that urgent action is needed because, for example, a child needs accommodation, phone the MASH on 0345 155 1071 and give as much information as you can. Your information will be passed immediately to a manager who will decide the action needed and will normally respond to you within one hour. You must follow up your telephone call by sending a completed referral form and CSE assessment to the MASH within 48 hours
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