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Wednesday 18 March 2026
Today, 18 March, marks Child Exploitation (CE) Awareness Day. The National Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation (CE); encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero-tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.
Any child can be sexually or criminally exploited. It can happen anywhere.
However many of those who are exploited may be reluctant to disclose offences or seek support, often due to stigma, prejudice, embarrassment, and the fear that they will not be believed or not recognise the exploitation due to the coercion and manipulation used.
Young people are groomed and exploited in many different ways.
This could be online, through street gangs, in religious environments, and by those in positions of authority including celebrities. The common theme in all cases is the imbalance of power and the control exerted on young people by the exploiter/perpetrator.
Those children and young people who are being exploited may appear to be willing accomplices.
This should be seen in the context of the controls exerted by the perpetrator and the submission of the child/young person to them. They are often not accomplices.
Evidence shows that child exploitation can (and does) happen in all parts of our country.
CE is not restricted to urban areas such as large towns and cities but does in fact happen in rural areas such as villages and coastal areas.
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In 2022, 7,019 children were referred to the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) as potential victims of modern slavery, including CSE, CCE and trafficking.
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In 2021, over 850 arrests per month were made in the UK for accessing child sexual abuse material.
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Police recorded modern slavery offences involving a child rose by 27% in the year ending March 2021.
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The most common reason children are trafficked in the UK is for criminal exploitation.
When someone builds a relationship with a child to manipulate them, this is known as grooming. It happens online and offline. The child may then be sexually abused, forced into labour, made to launder criminal money, or coerced into transporting drugs or stealing from shops. These are types of child exploitation.
Young people are targeted at fast food outlets, shopping centres and parks. They are forced to travel on trains, buses, coaches and use roadside services for rest stops. It can also happen 'behind closed doors' in hotels, salons, car washes. Or online through gaming platforms and social media.
It can happen anywhere and any child can be exploited. By learning to spot the signs and how to report them, we can keep children safe from this abuse.
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Since its formation in April 2023, the Complex Safeguarding Team has played a central role in strengthening local responses to both CE and Missing children. This dedicated team provides a more cohesive and timely approach to safeguarding some of our most vulnerable young people. Through improved oversight, more consistent practice, and enhanced cross agency communication, the team has significantly improved the quality and pace of CE responses in Westmorland & Furness.
A particularly important component of this service is the presence of Intervention Workers (IWs) who work directly with children, coordinating safety planning, supporting practitioners, and ensuring targeted interventions align with a child’s needs and circumstances.
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Missing episodes continue to be one of the most significant indicators of exploitation across Westmorland & Furness. Children who are at risk of CE are often those repeatedly reported missing, and equally, many children who are being exploited are drawn away from home into unsafe environments. The relationship between CE and missing incidents is well established, and locally it remains a key focus for safeguarding and early intervention.
Every child reported missing is offered a prompt Return Home Interview, which is essential for ensuring their voice is heard and their experiences shape future planning and protection. These conversations help practitioners understand the factors behind the missing event, identify patterns, and tailor responses to reduce further harm. The insights gathered from these interviews also contribute to wider intelligence across the safeguarding partnership.
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The Philomena Protocol is a safeguarding tool used across Cumbria to help locate cared for children and young people quickly if they go missing. These children and young people have usually had a history of missing episodes or CE concerns. This protocol shares any information which would support Police to quickly locate a child if they were reported missing.
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In Westmorland and Furness, our dedicated complex safeguarding team have oversight of children where there is a concern around potential child exploitation. Defined CE pathways provide a clear and structured process for identifying risks linked to exploitation and looking at creating safety to reduce these risks. It enables practitioners to act quickly, share information, and ensure the right teams are involved.
For children not open to Children’s Services:
For children already open to Children’s Services:
Once concerns are raised, the Complex Safeguarding Team assesses the level of risk and determines whether a CE meeting or consultation is required. Monthly MACE (Multi-Agency Child Exploitation) meetings play a critical role in identifying local hotspots, analysing trends, and agreeing multiagency disruption plans.
Online exploitation thrives on secrecy, anonymity and power imbalances. Signs to look out for include increased secrecy around phone or social media use, sudden changes in behaviour, or being contacted by people they do not know offline.
Some good websites for online support and resources include:
Child Exploitation Level 1
CE Level 1 training is available through the Virtual College Learning Zone, providing a foundation in recognising child exploitation and extrafamilial harm. Practitioners are encouraged to complete this module before attending any Level 2 training. To access the e-learning courses, you will be required to create an account:
Please note that accounts are manually approved, and access may take up to 24 hours to be activated.
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Introductory awareness of CE and Extrafamilial Harm
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Key definitions and vulnerabilities
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Early signs practitioners should look for
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Initial safeguarding responsibilities
Child Exploitation Level 2
Our CE Level 2 training builds on Level 1 learning and gives practitioners the skills and confidence to recognise, assess and respond to child exploitation and extrafamilial harm. The course deepens understanding of the signs and behaviours that may indicate exploitation, explores risk factors and vulnerabilities, and equips practitioners to apply safeguarding frameworks and legal duties effectively. It also strengthens multiagency collaboration and supports practitioners in creating safe, appropriate plans for children at risk.
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Friday 17 April – Kendal Town Hall
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Friday 3 July – Barrow Town Hall
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Monday 12 October – Kendal Town Hall
This training is ideal for practitioners who work directly with children and young people, particularly those involved in assessing risk, contributing to plans, or supporting children at risk of or experiencing exploitation.
CE Network Training (previously referred to as CE Champions)
Once you have completed Level 2 training you will be invited to join our CE Network, where additional training events will be offered. This will provide the opportunity to discuss issues with other practitioners and subject matter experts.
CE Network members are invited to attend upcoming development sessions designed to update their knowledge and strengthen their capacity to support local teams.
Upcoming CE Network sessions:
- Thursday 14 May – Mintworks, Kendal
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Tuesday 14 July – MS Teams
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Tuesday 22 September – Barrow Town Hall
If you have already done level 2 CE training and would like to receive invitations for these training sessions please contact wfscptraining@cumbria.gov.uk
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Operation MakeSafe is a national initiative promoted locally by Westmorland & Furness to help the public and professionals identify situations where a child may be at risk of exploitation. Businesses and community members—such as hotels, taxis, shops, leisure venues and transport providers—are encouraged to stay alert to concerning behaviours and report them immediately. If anyone suspects a child is being exploited or is in immediate danger, they should contact the police and quote “Operation MakeSafe.”
A range of resources are available to help practitioners recognise exploitation early and take effective action, all of which can be accessed through the Westmorland & Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership website. Please find links below:
An overview of child exploitation, including types, signs, reporting pathways, and professional resources—plus downloadable toolkits, policies, and contact information.
Learn about what Contextual Safeguarding is and how to identify and respond to the associated risks.
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