Get Safe

Get Safe is the Worcestershire Multi-Agency response to tackling child criminal exploitation and includes a range of partner agencies such as:

• Worcestershire Children First
• West Mercia Police including the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)
• Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
• Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
• Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG)
• Education
• Youth Justice
• Housing
• Drug and alcohol services
• Early help services
• Local District Councils
• Voluntary children and young people’s services

The partnership is focused on all the areas of Child Criminal Exploitation as we recognise their inter relationship with each other e.g. County lines and children who go missing, we cannot work with presenting issues in isolation without considering the associated risks or vulnerabilities in the child’s world.

The partnership has developed new innovative ways to share information quickly and securely with partner agencies so there is consistency in approach, shared understanding of risk and vulnerability ensuring the right support and protection at the right time to keep that child safe from harm and abuse.

Are you worried about your child?

Have you seen a change in their behaviour or routines? Do they have unexplained money, clothing or gifts? Do you think they maybe being criminally exploited?

If you have an immediate safeguarding concern for a child, you must call the police on 999.

If your concern is about activity in the Worcestershire area which you believe may indicate crimes being committed e.g. drug dealing or Modern-Day Slavery, please contact the police on 101.

If you wish to discuss a not immediate safeguarding concern about a child aged 0-18 years then please contact our Family Front Door on 01905 822666 during office hours. In emergencies out of hours the number is 01905 768020.

We have collated information on criminal exploitation of children and young people but if you wish to talk to someone, Worcestershire Children First have a dedicated Get Safe team who works closely with partner agencies here in Worcestershire. The team is contactable for advice on  01905 845568 or at getsafe@worcschildrenfirst.org.uk.

What is CSE?

Child Sexual Exploitation

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of child abuse. It happens when a young person is encouraged, or forced, to take part in sexual activity in exchange for something. The reward might be presents, money, alcohol, or simply just the promise of love and affection.

It might seem like a normal friendship or relationship at the beginning, but the young person might be persuaded to do sexual things they don't want to do in return for something.

The government definition is:
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 18 into 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.

Parents

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and grooming are both terms that are often in the news. As parents we can be left with lots of questions, concerns and even feelings of confusion about what they mean and how to protect our children.

If you are a parent or carer who wants to learn more about child sexual exploitation, how to spot the signs and how to get help if you're worried, then there's information to help you.

• Pace - Parents against child sexual exploitation They are the leading national charity working with parents and carers of sexually exploited children.

If you would like to speak to someone at school, please speak to one of our trained Safeguarding Leads: Miss Guest, Miss Dixon or Mrs Smith.