DCSF issues guidance on tackling child sexual exploitation

Guidance to help social workers identify children at risk of sexual exploitation has been released today by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Home Office.

The statutory guidance, which is also aimed at police, teachers and health workers, is being issued to local authorities and police forces around the country. It replaces previous guidance on children involved in prostitution issued in 2000.

The advice covers prevention, identifying children at risk, child protection and taking action against abusers.

Children’s minister Delyth Morgan urged all frontline professionals to work together to prevent child exploitation. She said: “It is not just about removing an individual child from a harmful situation, but taking early and effective action to help prevent children from being put in danger in the first place.”

Sheila Taylor, chair of the National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People, welcomed the new guidelines. She said: “There is more to be done to ensure these young people are offered the appropriate response and we look forward to being able to contribute to the implementation of these guidelines.”

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