Identifying risk of harm

Social workers are responsible for assessing risk of harm, and determining whether a multi-agency discussion is needed.

Social workers must see beyond the visible evidence of criminal activity to identify potential risk of harm. This can be challenging, because:

• the risk of harm from child criminal exploitation can change quickly
• it often occurs outside of normal office hours, in the evenings and at weekends.

Social workers must be available to support young people when they are in crisis. They must establish links or systems so that young people can access their social worker outside of office hours.

While assessment tools can guide information gathering, criminally exploited young people may present with a series of concerns rather than actual risk factors. The risk of harm may fluctuate, and it may take many weeks to build trust and establish rapport with the young person before the risks are identified. Some young people present with a low level of risk despite being subject to high levels of harm due to criminal exploitation.

Building relationships

Social workers must develop a relationship with the young person, and build trust using open-ended information gathering techniques, to obtain evidence pertaining to risk. Youth workers and third-sector agencies should be used to support young people, contribute to safeguarding, monitor risk, and alert social workers if this increases.

Some local authorities have protocols or processes in place for young people suspected of being criminally exploited, but who do not meet service thresholds. These protocols ensure that the young person receives timely support aimed at preventing an escalation of exploitation.