Practitioners Guide to Child Sexual Exploitation
This is the operational guidance for practitioners responding to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). This guidance is based
on the Pan Cheshire Policy ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation’ and ‘Safeguarding
Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation: Supplementary Guidance to Working Together to safeguard
Children’ (2009)
Identifying cases
Frontline practitioners from voluntary and statutory sector organisations should be aware of the key indicators of
children being sexually exploited which can include:
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Going missing for periods of time or regularly coming home late.
Regularly missing school or education or not taking part in education.
Appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions.
Secretive about e-communications.
Associating with other young people involved in exploitation.
Having older boyfriends and girlfriends.
Suffering from sexually transmitted infections.
Mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing.
Drug and Alcohol misuse.
Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour.
Practitioners should also be aware that many children and young people who are victims of sexual exploitation do not
recognise themselves as such. When considering whether a child or young person’s sexual behaviour might mean that
they are a victim or at risk of CSE, think about the following:
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The age of the child.
Whether drink or drugs are involved that might undermine judgement.
Whether inducements, pressure, coercion, or violence are involved.
What are perceived or actual consequences for a child or young person might be of not saying yes.
Referring cases
Where child sexual exploitation, or the risk of it, is suspected, frontline practitioners should complete the Pan Cheshire
CSE Screening Tool (accessed via the LSCB website to ensure use of the most recent version) and discuss the case with a
manager or the designated member of staff for safeguarding within their own organisation.
If the screening tool identifies the child as being at low risk of CSE, then the practitioner would need to seek parental
consent before submitting the tool to the Integrated Access and Referral Team (i-ART ). The team can be contacted on
0300 123 7047 for a case discussion if this is required.
If the outcome of the screening tool is that the child is identified as being at medium or high risk of CSE then the
practitioner should aim to seek parental consent and contact the i-ART team for a case discussion. However, the
absence of consent should not prevent the contact being made. For out of hours please contact the Emergency Duty
Team on 01244 977 277. It is likely that there will then be a requirement for the practitioner to complete the
Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF). Practitioners should also forward the screening tool via secure email to the i-ART
mailbox on: [email protected]
Where the threat is immediate it may be appropriate to inform Cheshire Police on telephone number 101 or if
necessary through the emergency number 999.
CSE operational group
The CSE Operational Group will be victim focused but will not duplicate or replace the functions of statutory child
protection processes in relation to individual children. The CSE Operational Group will ensure that intelligence is shared
relating to victims, perpetrators and locations of abuse and risks are identified with action taken where necessary.
Where a flag has been agreed at the CSE Operational Group the Lead Professional / Social Worker must provide an
update on the risk, plan and any additional information on perpetrators or locations as agreed by the group. The CSE
Operational Group will then determine whether the flag should continue or be removed.
In addition when practitioners have concerns regarding perpetrators of CSE or locations where this may be occurring
then the practitioner should complete a CSE Operational Group Referral found on the LSCB website and submit this to
[email protected] for consideration.
Children in Care placed out of Borough
When a CWaC child is placed out of borough and begins to disclose information relating to CSE within the Cheshire
West and Chester area, then the allocated Social Worker should complete a CSE Screening tool and submit this where
appropriate to the CSE Operational Group.
When a CWaC child is placed out of borough and concerns become apparent that they may be vulnerable to or at risk of
CSE within the area they are placed, then the Social Worker should complete a CSE Screening Tool and submit this to
the CSE service in the area where the child is placed. The social worker should liaise with the CSE Service in that area to
ensure that appropriate support and resources are provided. In addition, the Social Worker should provide a summary
of the concerns and child’s plan to the CSE Operational Group so a decision can be made regarding flagging.
Children in Care other Local Authority
Where agencies become aware of CSE concerns relating to a child who is in the care of another Local Authority but
currently placed in the Cheshire West and Chester area, they should complete the CSE Screening tool and share this
both with the allocated Social Worker and submit to [email protected] for consideration.
Flow Chart 1: What to do if you suspect a child is being sexually exploited
When a practitioner has concerns about child sexual exploitation (CSE), they should discuss this with their manager/senior colleague/safeguarding lead
within their own organisation and complete the CSE screening tool, using the Continuum of Need to inform the threshold decision.
If the child has an allocated social worker in CWaC the practitioner should share the screening tool with the social worker.
Low Risk
No statutory intervention required, but child presents some
vulnerability factors.
Consideration must be given to the CoN when making a threshold
decision.
If further advice is required or child’s needs are complex and multiple
the practitioner can contact i-ART on 0300 123 7047 if consent has been
given.
Consider offering a Team Around the Family assessment to consider a
holistic assessment of the child’s needs.
Medium and High Risk
It is best practice to secure consent, however, the practitioner must
contact the i-ART team on 0300 123 7047 for a case discussion. A MultiAgency Referral Form may be requested.
Threshold agreed - Level 4 Continuum of Need
Section 47 Investigation (if family are actively complicit or lack the
capacity/motivation to safeguard) or case allocated to a social worker for
a single assessment.
Following completion of the S47 or single assessment the need for a CSE
risk management meeting will be considered.
Following completion of the TAF assessment the lead professional should
convene a TAF meeting (low risk) or if the additional information
gathered suggests that the risk has increased then practitioner should
contact i-ART for case discussion.
CSE risk should be regularly reviewed within the Team Around the Family / Children in Need / Children in need of Protection / Children in Care Planning
process. The CSE screening tool should be used to regularly review the risk and identify if CSE concerns are escalating/ de-escalating.
All medium and high risk completed screening tools must be sent to [email protected] where an assessment will be made as to
inclusion at the CSE operational group meeting. Low risk tools should be sent if consent has been secured.
For perpetrators, groups and or locations where this may be occurring, the practitioner should complete a CSE operational group referral found on the LSCB
website and submit to [email protected] for consideration.