Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership

Exploitation and missing

Child exploitation (CE)

Child exploitation is when someone takes advantage of a young person for their own gain—this could be for criminal activity, sexual purposes, or financial control. It can happen in person, in groups, or online. Many children don’t recognise they’re being exploited until harm has occurred. Child Exploitation is often broken down into two types; Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation, which are defined below:

Types of child exploitation

Child sexual exploitation

The current DfE definition for CSE 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."

Child criminal exploitation

The current Home Office Definition of CCE is:

"This occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity:

  • in exchange for something the victim needs or wants; and/or
  • for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator; and/or
  • through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology."

Exploitation thrives on

  • power imbalance (age, gender, status)
  • emotional manipulation and coercion
  • isolation from support networks
  • control that feels like friendship or love

Spotting the signs

Children may not always disclose what’s happening. Adults should look for warning signs, such as:

  • going missing or unexplained absences
  • changes in behaviour, dress or new possessions
  • increased secrecy, particularly around phone/social media use
  • being found in areas they don’t normally visit
  • withdrawn, anxious, or aggressive behaviour
  • involvement with older individuals or new peer groups

What to do if you’re worried

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm call 999.

If you're concerned but there's no immediate danger:

Professionals should:

  • complete the Single Contact Form (see below)
  • attach the Vulnerability Checklist (see below)

If non-urgent exploitation information is known, visit the Cumbria Police website and complete the Community Partnership Intelligence Form.

View the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership CE process for assessing exploitation risks and safety planning.

WFSCP CE Process Poster

Westmorland and Furness Contacts

Complex safeguarding team, Westmorland and Furness

These professionals support young people assessed as at low, medium or high risk of exploitation. They coordinate risk planning, offer direct intervention, and engage with education, health, and community partners.

Email: CERAR.WAF@cumbria.gov.uk.

Use this email address to contact the Complex Safeguarding Team for advice and guidance if required. All referrals using the CE Vulnerability Checklist need to be sent to the Multi-Agency Childrens Hub with a completed Single Contact Form for any Children and Young People not already open to Children's Services. 

CE champions 

CE Champions are individuals who act as a single point of contact on child exploitation within their own agencies. Further information, including how to sign up can be found in our CE champions terms of reference (DOCX , 367KB).

Resources For professionals

These tools support early identification, prevention, and intervention.

Tackling child exploitation - multi-agency practice principles

The Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme has published multi-agency practice principles for responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm.

The multi-agency Practice Principles are designed to support effective partnership working across different local contexts; providing a common language and framework to better respond to child exploitation and extra-familial harm.

Guidance documents

Please note some of the following documents are Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) branded as per previous partnership arrangements. Reviews are in progress.

Forms and processes

Vulnerability Checklist (DOCX , 38KB) – located in CE Procedures Appendix 1 

Single Contact Form – must be submitted alongside checklist for new concerns

Philomena Protocol – for children who frequently go missing:

Philomena Protocol Form Guidance (PDF , 166KB)

Philomena Protocol Form (DOX , 408KB)

Training and awareness

Child Exploitation Level 1 and 2 eLearning (CSCP Learning Zone)

CE Research Shorts (University of Bedfordshire)

The Children's Society #Look Closer Programme of learning offers training on exploitation. Read the flyer for more information on course and how to book on.

 

Sexual abuse resources

The following resources are provided by the CSA Centre

Additional support

Support services for children and families throughout Cumbria: