GMP Bury and partners reiterate commitment to prevent child exploitation by working with local schools to raise awareness

This year, the multi-agency Bury Complex Safeguarding team have delivered a number of training events with representatives from police and health and social care to raise awareness of child exploitation, the importance of remaining vigilant online, and how police and partners can support them to report concerns.

These events are a significant step in promoting awareness and creating an open and safe space for professionals, children, and their families to communicate any concerns they have, deepen their understanding of what exploitation can look like, and equip them with the correct resources and knowledge they need to identify the signs.

What is the role of the Complex Safeguarding Team (CST)?

In 2015 Greater Manchester Police launched district safeguarding teams to create a multi-agency response to child exploitation.

Across the force, these teams are co-located and consist of police, health, and children’s services, and they are regularly joined by a range of partners from across Bury including Parenting Workers, Early Help and Trading Standards for joint operations which aim to engage with young people and let them know support is available for them.

The priority is to identify those at risk of being exploited by sharing information at an early stage, enabling an effective, integrated approach.

Detective Chief Inspector John Charlton from GMP Bury Complex Safeguarding Team said: “These sessions are a really important part of the work we do, and the more we can educate young people and members of the public, the more they will pick up on the signs of exploitation.

“The Complex Safeguarding Teams were created as we recognised that we needed to provide more positive outcomes to victims and prioritise reports of child sexual abuse. In the last twelve months in Bury, we have made 235 safeguarding referrals amid our ongoing commitment to prevent child exploitation. This is an increase of 22%, which is attributable to improved partnership working which has helped us identify patterns when they emerge, ensure the right agency acts, and make sure we get young people the help they need sooner.”

Jeanette Richards, executive director of children’s services at Bury Council, said: “Bury Council and the wider safeguarding partnership have made work around exploitation of children and young people a top priority and it’s great that all local agencies are invested in the success of the team.

“We know things can be tough for young people; there are lots of challenges for them in the world and they may sometimes be faced with complex risks posed by peers or adults. We know how valuable the team’s direct work is from feedback from young people and their families. Workers develop strong relationships with vulnerable young people and enable them to better understand and protect themselves from exploitation. Workers also work with parents to help them support and protect their children.

“Ofsted in their recent monitoring visit reviewed the work of the Complex Safeguarding Team and praised the “effective strategic and operational relationships in Bury, which underpin the work to identify and protect vulnerable children. Children benefit from well-trained and effective practitioners, who offer support to children and their families based on strong professional relationships and strength-based practice.”

What are the signs to look out for?

Spot the signs of child sexual exploitation: Going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late; skipping school or being disruptive in class; appearing with unexplained gifts or possessions that can’t be accounted for; experiencing health problems that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection; having mood swings and changes in temperament; using drugs and/or alcohol; displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour, such as over-familiarity with strangers, dressing in a sexualised manner or sending sexualised images by mobile phone ("sexting"); increasing their screen time or showing unusual use of online platforms, such as websites, social media, apps or games; they may also show signs of unexplained physical harm, such as bruising and cigarette burns.