Sector-specific guidance

Under the Working Together Statutory Guidance, all professionals working with young people have a responsibility for safeguarding.

Criminally exploited children will present different warning signs to different professionals, for example, a teacher may notice changes in behaviour or absenteeism whereas a health professional may notice defensive wounds or injuries to the young person. It is only when professionals share this information that they can build up a full picture of what is happening to the child.

These sections of the website provide detailed information regarding the sector-specific:

warning signs of child criminal exploitation
safeguarding roles and responsibilities
relevant policy and practice guidance.

Children’s Services

Children’s Services

Children’s service practitioners must be skilled in working with different agencies, as well as with young people who may be both victims and perpetrators.

Educators

Educators

Education practitioners may be the only professionals who have regular contact with young people as well as their families.

Healthcare

Healthcare

Health practitioners may only have a few minutes in which to help safeguard a young person from exploitation.

Housing

Housing

All practitioners who play a role in housing associations and supported housing should be trained in safeguarding.

Police

Police

Child criminal exploitation can be challenging for the police, who must remain aware that exploited young people are victims of child abuse.

Youth Justice Service

Youth Justice Service

Youth justice practitioners support young people who come into contact with the police, those who are at risk of criminality, and those who have been charged or convicted.

Youth Services

Youth Services

Youth services practitioners can support young people in the communities where they are most at risk of criminal exploitation.