1. Child Sexual Exploitation - Update
‘My New friend’ – you tube code <iframe width="560" height="315" src="// frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
October 2014

2. What is CSE
Both girls and boys are at risk of sexual exploitation, and it is seriously harmful to children both emotionally and physically. They may not understand or accept that they are being abused through sexual exploitation, and find it difficult to see themselves as victims.
Involvement in exploitative relationships are often characterised by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice, usually concerned with their social/economic situation and/or emotional vulnerability. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common features of these relationships.
Often young people receive something as a result of them engaging in sexual activities. This might be gifts or money, alcohol drugs or cigarettes, food or accommodation, or affection.

3. My New Friend

4. National Awareness
Child Sexual Exploitation is an area of child protection that continues to evolve with new learning emerging across the country from high profile cases.  
Most recently the inquiry report published in relation events in Rotherham made national news. 
The inquiry report suggested that over 1400 children had been subject to sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013 in Rotherham. There were a series of police operations over this time frame but the small number of prosecutions and convictions has been disproportionate to the numbers of children abused and the seriousness of the offences committed against them.
Criticisms were made over the political and local authority officers leadership in relation to recognising and prioritising child sexual exploitation.

5. What is Shropshire Doing
Shropshire Safeguarding Children Board developed a CSE strategy and practitioners toolkit which was launched in the autumn of 2011(and arrangements reviewed in summer 2013).
A multi-agency CSE Panel was created in December 2011 (and arrangements reviewed in summer 2013). The multi agency CSE panel acts as the key mechanism for agreeing how relevant organisations will co-operate and work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of young people identified as experiencing or at risk of experiencing CSE in Shropshire.
SSCB receives an annual report in relation to CSE and the implementation of the CSE strategy.
SSCB commissioned a learning review to provide a useful window on our current systems in relation to this emerging area of work.

6. What is Shropshire Doing
We have seen a 44% increase of cases (39) referred to CSE Panel in 2013/14 when compared to (27) 2012/13. Since the 1st April 2014 – 1st September 2014 the CSE multi-agency panel has received referrals to consider 20 individual cases this is a 25% increase in cases compared to the same period in 2013. 
50% of the cases were referred by schools or other education setting and this is a significant increase when compared to 2013/14 year end which saw only 4 cases referred by schools. 
Of the cases considered since April 2014, 7/20 young people were or became looked after due to concerns of CSE, 11/20 were open to social workers for assessment with the remaining 2/20 cases being managed at an early help level.
This indicates that agencies continue to become more confident in identifying potential cases of CSE

7. Is this enough?
Work needs to be done with parents and carers, communities, hotels, nightclubs, public transport and shopping centres to further raise awareness and seek to protect children from exploitation.
Awareness is bigger than just communities; for example prevention also includes licensing officers in both Local Authorities and police forces to be vigilant to signs of sexual exploitation within businesses and properties.
Prevention and appropriate interventions are key to the needs of children vulnerable to and experiencing CSE.