Nurturing, supportive relationships with parents or caregivers provides emotional stability and guidance and a secure base for children and young people.

A structured home environment helps children and young people to develop self-control, understand boundaries, and feel safe.

Regular, honest dialogue fosters trust and allows for early identification of concerns, enabling timely support and intervention.

Parents or carers working collaboratively to meet the needs of the child or young person, regardless of their relationship status, promotes consistency and emotional security.

Active awareness of a child or young person’s activities, friendships, and online behaviour can reduce exposure to exploitative situations.

Involvement of trusted relatives or community members can provide additional layers of support and protection.

Positive school experiences, regular attendance, and achievement in both academic and non-academic areas boost self-esteem and provides a sense of purpose and future aspirations.

Caring and attentive adults within the school setting can act as mentors, role models and early identifiers of risk, offering timely support and guidance.

Participation in school clubs, sports, arts and other programmes provides constructive outlets, builds social skills, and fosters a sense of belonging.

Educational practitioners working in partnership with other professionals (e.g. social workers, health services, youth workers and community support organisations) enables holistic support and early intervention for children and young people.

Schools and training settings that promote safety, inclusivity, and positive values help children and young people feel secure, respected and empowered.

Opportunities for skill development and career progression can provide structure, motivation, and reduce engagement in risky behaviours.

Acknowledging diverse talents and achievements can reinforce self-worth and resilience.

Friendships with peers who engage in positive behaviours can reinforce healthy choices and provide constructive role models.

Participation in mentoring, peer counselling, or youth-led initiatives can foster empathy, build social skills, and promote emotional wellbeing.

Developing assertiveness and decision-making skills helps children and young people stand up to harmful influences and maintain personal boundaries.

Feeling connected to a positive peer group reduces isolation and vulnerability, particularly in relation to criminal or sexual exploitation.

Trusting relationships with peers or adults that encourage open communication can help children and young people feel safe to share concerns and seek support.

Roles such as peer mentors, youth ambassadors, or group leaders can empower young people and reinforce positive identity.

Exposure to varied social groups can broaden perspectives and reduce reliance on potentially harmful peer groups.

Availability of youth programmes, counselling services, recreational facilities, and other support services provides safe spaces, promotes engagement, and fosters positive development.

Living in communities with strong social bonds, mutual trust, and low levels of crime reduces exposure to harmful influences and increases informal safeguarding.

Mentors, coaches, faith leaders, or community figures can offer guidance, support, and a sense of belonging, especially for children and young people lacking strong family connections.

Opportunities for children and young people to contribute to community activities (e.g. volunteering, youth councils) can build confidence, responsibility, and social connectedness.

Involvement in cultural or religious communities can provide additional layers of emotional and moral support, especially when inclusive and safeguarding-focused.

Confidence in one’s abilities and a strong sense of self may help children and young people resist negative influences, make positive choices, and feel connected to their community and peers.

The ability to assess situations, consider consequences, and make constructive choices may reduce vulnerability to exploitation and risky behaviours.

Understanding and managing emotions effectively supports resilience, helps navigate peer pressure, and promotes healthy coping strategies.

The ability to express needs, articulate concerns, and engage in healthy relationships enables children and young people to seek help and connect with trusted adults who can recognise and respond to exploitation risks.

Having hope and goals for the future can motivate positive behaviour and reduce susceptibility to short-term risky influences.

The ability to question and evaluate information, including online content and peer narratives, can help children and young people avoid manipulation or grooming.

Pride in one’s heritage and cultural background fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens self-esteem, and builds resilience against marginalisation and discrimination.

Engagement in cultural activities, celebrations, and customs reinforces positive values, strengthens community ties, and promotes emotional wellbeing.

A healthy understanding and appreciation of one’s ethnic background supports identity formation, enhances self-worth, and contributes to resistance against harmful influences.

Support from professionals who understand and respect cultural backgrounds can improve engagement and outcomes for children and young people.

Relationships with elders and cultural mentors can provide guidance, continuity, and a deeper sense of identity.

Awareness of potential digital dangers, such as grooming, cyberbullying, and exploitation helps children and young people navigate the online world more safely.

Skills in managing online presence, privacy settings, and interactions may reduce vulnerability to online exploitation and manipulation.

Parents and carers who actively supervise device use and understand how to implement safety settings and restrictions can help protect children and young people from harmful content and contacts.

The ability to evaluate digital information and recognise manipulation or misinformation helps safeguard against online exploitation tactics.

Providing translation support enables children and young people to understand their rights, communicate effectively, and engage with support services, thereby reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.

Structured learning about online safety, privacy, and responsible digital behaviour can empower children and young people to make informed choices.

Awareness of how to report concerns or harmful content online increases safety and access to support.

Timely identification and support for emotional or behavioural difficulties may prevent escalation into high-risk behaviours and reduce vulnerability to exploitation.

Access to prevention programmes and therapeutic support for substance use may reduce a significant risk factor associated with exploitation.

Providing appropriate, sensitive care for children and young people who have experienced trauma promotes healing, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Access to specialist services strengthens family stability, provides safe spaces, and reduces isolation and vulnerability for children and young people.

Regular health check-ups and support for physical wellbeing can contribute to overall resilience and reduce barriers to engagement with education and support services.

Teaching children and young people healthy ways to manage stress and emotions can reduce reliance on harmful behaviours.

Having a sense of purpose and future plans may motivate children and young people to make positive choices and engage in constructive activities.

Awareness of legitimate opportunities for personal and professional development may reduce the appeal of criminal alternatives and promote long-term planning.

Seeing examples of success through legal and positive means, including practitioners who hold high expectations and believe in the potential of children and young people. This may inspire hope and support the development of new, empowering narratives.

Support from professionals who can help children and young people explore options and set realistic goals, may strengthen motivation and engagement.

Recognising progress, no matter how small, reinforces self-worth and encourages continued effort toward positive futures.

Engaging in volunteer work fosters empathy, social responsibility, and a sense of belonging within the wider community.

Taking on leadership roles in schools or community organisations builds confidence, enhances communication skills, and promotes positive peer influence.

Engaging in causes that matter to children and young people provides a sense of empowerment, purpose, and constructive avenues to address societal issues.

Recognising that children and young people have a voice in decisions affecting their lives ensures their rights are respected and their needs are met, contributing to a sense of agency and protection.

Involving children and young people in the design and delivery of services or programmes enhances engagement and ensures relevance to their lived experiences.

Acknowledging children and young people’s involvement in community or advocacy work reinforces their value and encourages continued positive engagement.