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Contents

1. Definition
2. Children Under the Age of 13 Years
3. Local Authority Lead
4. Initial Professional Response
5. Children Already Allocated to a Social Worker within CYPL
6. Dispute Resolution
7. Parental and Child Attendance at MAP Meetings
8. Lead Agencies for Chairing
9. Monitoring

10. Standard Professional Invites
    
    Templates
    
    Appendix 1: Risk Assessment Framework
    
    Appendix 2: Referral for Sexual Exploitation Protocol Meeting
    
    Appendix 3: Initial/Review Meeting Minute

1. Definition

The sexual exploitation of children is child sexual abuse. The sexual exploitation of children defines a broader context of abuse than formal 'prostitution'; the full spectrum of sexually exploitative situations includes children and young people exchanging sex for accommodation, food, gifts, drugs and/or safety.

2. Children Under the Age of 13 Years

• A child under 13 is not legally capable of consenting to sexual activity. Any offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 involving a child under 13 is very serious and should be taken to indicate a risk of significant harm to the child. 
• Cases involving children under 13 should always be discussed with the agency's nominated safeguarding children adviser.
• Under the Sexual Offences Act, penetrative sex with a child under 13 is classed as rape. Where a professional is concerned that a child is involved with penetrative sex or other intimate sexual activity, there will always be reasonable cause to suspect that a child, whether girl or boy, is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm.
• There is a presumption that the case will be referred to Local Authority children's social care and that a strategy meeting / discussion will be co-ordinated to discuss appropriate next steps.

3. Local Authority Lead

The Local Authority lead in respect of sexual exploitation rests with the Operational Manager, Intake Team, Children, Young People and Learners (CYPL).

4. Initial Professional Response

The professional should discuss their concerns with their agency's nominated safeguarding children adviser. Using the Risk Assessment Framework (appendix 1) an initial assessment of risk of harm to the child should be made.

In cases where a child is considered to be at risk of harm (category 1) and the child is not allocated to a Social Worker the following procedure is followed;

Category 1

After discussion with their agency lead the referrer will complete the referral form (Appendix 2: Referral for Sexual Exploitation Protocol Meeting) Telephone checks should be made with:

• Children Missing from Education - 020 8726 6162
• The Designated Nurse for Looked After Children - 020 8401 3992
• Police - 020 8649 1891

This is emailed to the Operational Manager, CYPL Intake Team, Police, Croydon Eclipse and Operational Manager (sexual exploitation) Children's Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Service (CQASS) at;

• CroydonEclipse@met.pnn.police.uk 
• childrensassessmentteam@croydon.gov.uk
• Childrens.QAService@croydon.gov.uk

CYPL Intake Team will open a contact on the Integrated Children System

CQASS will update the Sexual Exploitation Monitoring spreadsheet

The Operational Manager, CYPL Intake, Police and CQASS will either Confirm the Category One status Re-categorise at 2 or 3 as appropriate NFA and refer back to the referring agency

If Category 1 is confirmed CQASS will identify a chair from one of the lead agencies to chair a Multi Agency Planning Meeting (MAP) The chair will be responsible for arranging the meeting, identity of invitees and a minute taken of the meeting using the template (Appendix 3: Initial/Review Meeting Minute)

The MAP will make one of the following recommendations; To manage the young person as Category One and a further MAP meeting will be arranged chaired by one of the lead agencies To re-categorise at Category 2 or 3 and follow appropriate guidance Confirm a plan for single agency involvement NFA

Category 2 and 3

After discussion with their agency's nominated safeguarding children adviser and after considering the Risk Assessment Framework (Appendix 1: Risk Assessment Framework) complete the referral form (Appendix 2: Referral for Sexual Exploitation Protocol Meeting) Telephone checks should be made with:

• Children Missing from Education - 020 8726 6162
• Designated Nurse for Looked After Children - 020 8401 3992
• Police - 020 8649 1891

This is emailed to the Operational Manager, CYPL Intake Team, Police and Operational Manager (sexual exploitation) CQASS at:

• CroydonEclipse@met.pnn.police.uk 
• childrensassessmentteam@croydon.gov.uk
• Childrens.QAService@croydon.gov.uk

Children's Social Care will open a contact and referral on the Integrated Children System

CQASS will update the Sexual Exploitation Monitoring spreadsheet

The Operational Manager, CYPL Intake, Police and CQASS will confirm either; Category 2 or 3 Re-categorise to 1 as appropriate NFA and refer back to the referring agency

If Category 2 or 3 is confirmed CYPL Intake Team will undertake an Initial Assessment and arrange a MAP meeting. At this stage the MAP meeting will be organised and chaired by an appropriate manager within CYPL Intake Team.

Decisions following a MAP CYPL may decide to undertake a Section 47 to consider a child protection conference The child to be supported through provision of Section 17 services Managed through MAP meetings and the appropriate CYPL social work   team to lead

Where an Initial Child Protection Conference is convened the Chair and attending agencies will need to consider; The management of confidential information during the conference Providing appropriate written reports Issues of child and parental attendance Identifying the need for a confidential section of the conference Managing ongoing issues of confidential information The Child Protection Chair will coordinate and advise on the above issues pre and post conference.

5. Children Already Allocated to a Social Worker within CYPL

The above procedures to be applied but the Operational Manager, CYPL Intake to be replaced with the appropriate Operational Manager for the allocated child. To check if a child is allocated telephone: 020 8726 6000 Ext 84267 or 84262

6. Dispute Resolution

Where there is disagreement on the category level at any point during these procedures the matter can be referred to the Service Manager, CQASS whose decision will be final.

7. Parental and Child Attendance at MAP Meetings

Where appropriate, the child and their family should be made aware of the concerns, engaged in developing the plan and involved in all subsequent MAP meetings to review the plan. However, engaging the child and family and alerting them to the risks should be approached with a high level of sensitivity to avoid compounding risks or furthering alienation. The child and family should not attend a MAP meeting where it compromises the safety of the child or the progress of an investigation. This decision can be considered at the first MAP meeting and be clearly recorded.

8. Lead Agencies for Chairing

The chairing of the Category 1 MAP meetings will be undertaken by;

• Health
• CQASS
• Youth Justice
• Education

The named list of professionals will be held by CQASS who will allocate on a rota basis.

9. Monitoring

CQASS will keep a record of all referrals under this Practice Guidance. CQASS will keep a record of case progress. Professionals chairing MAP meetings should ensure minutes of MAP meetings are sent by email to CQASS.

10. Standard Professional Invites

Chairs should ensure that the following agencies are invited as standard to MAP meetings;

• Health: 020 8401 3992
• Children Missing from Education: 020 8726 6162
• Youth Offending Service: 020 8404 5800
• Where appropriate: Foster agencies and placement services

Templates

The following standard templates found with this guidance will be used;

Appendix 1: Risk Assessment Framework

Appendix 2: Referral for Sexual Exploitation Protocol Meeting

Appendix 3: Initial/Review Meeting Minute

End