Responding to CCE: Assessment of risk and need

Addressing Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is complex. No single agency can tackle it alone. It is essential to:

• Identify and protect children and young people at risk of CCE
• Disrupt and prevent exploitation
• Support recovery and resilience
• Hold perpetrators to account

Safeguarding children and young people at risk of CCE is everyone’s responsibility. Early identification and support for those children and young people at risk of child criminal exploitation is crucial. Organisational child protection procedures must be followed where there is a concern about child exploitation. If your concern isn’t urgent but you’re still worried about a child or young person’s safety or wellbeing, it’s important to share your concerns with your designated safeguarding lead and/or the appropriate services.

Children do not need to disclose exploitation to be recognised and safeguarded as victims. Fear, shame, threats, or mistrust may prevent them from engaging with practitioners. Their distress may present as aggression, substance use, or resistance to support - often signs of trauma, not choice. These behaviours can increase vulnerability and give perpetrators more control. Practitioners should remain curious, recognise indicators of CCE, and respond appropriately to ensure timely support.

Always keep the child or young person’s needs at the centre of your practice. Consider what other teams may already know about the child or young person and whether sharing relevant information could help improve the support they receive.

Clear communication is fundamental to successful multi-agency working. Organisations should continue to build on existing systems and structures to include CCE within their safeguarding practice and raise awareness amongst frontline practitioners to feel informed and empowered to collaborate and build trust. As previously referenced, use of a shared language will assist in minimising misunderstandings and provide clarity in relation to issues such as risk, protective factors and vulnerability.

Anyone working with children and young people has a duty to share relevant information that could impact a child or young person’s safety or wellbeing, and to do so as early as possible. This includes practitioners in adult services, who should pass on any details that may affect a child or young person’s welfare, such as concerns about a parent’s ability to provide safe and nurturing care.