Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Abuse Story Board

Transcription

1 Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Abuse Story Board Author: Dot Evans Date: December 2015 To access the full suite of Storyboards go to

2 This Story Board describes the strategies and initiatives, developed over a number of years, to ensure best practice and deliver the best outcomes in the City of York for children and young people who: Are at risk of sexual abuse Are being sexually abused Have been sexually abused. What is Child Sexual Abuse? This involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children, Working Together 2013 Vision of the City of York Safeguarding Children Board The City of York Safeguarding Children Board (CYSCB) believes in the right of every child and young person to have a childhood free from sexual abuse. Child Sexual Abuse includes the following: Children and Young People Abused by Trusted Adults Children and Young People Abused within Exploitative Relationships (Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation - CSA&E) Organised Abuse (CSE) Children and Young People Abused by another Young Person (Sexually Harmful Behaviour - SHB) 2

3 To achieve this CYSCB is developing a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring that: All children, young people, parents, carers and professionals have appropriate levels of awareness of CSA&E and know what action to take (PREPARE) Vulnerable children are identified and supported to reduce their vulnerability and promote resilience (PREVENT) Agencies work together to identify and protect children who are at risk of being abused (PROTECT) Children and young people who have been abused receive appropriate support services (PREVENT &PROTECT) Children and young people who are displaying sexually harmful behaviour receive timely and appropriate support and intervention services (PREVENT &PROTECT) Perpetrators of CSA&E are identified and pursued (PURSUE) What is the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in York? According to research undertaken by the NSPCC one in 20 children have been sexually abused with 90% of these children having been abused by someone they know 1. Perpetrators of sexual abuse are more likely to be a family friend or to be acquainted with the child, rather than being a parent or stranger. Girls are at a greater risk than boys of being abused by a family member. Boys are at a higher risk than girls of being abused by a stranger 2. Victims of sexual abuse can show a range of symptoms during, and for years after, the abuse has occurred. Physical signs and symptoms are still given precedence in the literature but often it is the emotional and psychological effects that do more long term damage to victims, with many of the emotional and psychological effects leading to physical ill health 3. However the research also indicates that two out of every three children who are sexually abused do tell someone about it, giving services the potential to intervene. 1 Radford et al, Maikovich-Fong and Jafee, 2010; 3 A Review of Childhood Abuse, Health, and Pain-Related Problems: The Role of Psychiatric Disorders and Current Life Stress M:\Reference Documents\Costs & Consequences of Child Maltreatment\A Review of Childhood Abuse, Health & Pain Related 3

4 Current figures There are currently 7 (6.4%) children with a City of York Safeguarding Children Board Child Protection Plan under the category of sexual abuse (20 January 2015). 4.6% of CP plans in England were under category of sexual abuse as at 31 March There are 38,760 children aged 0-18 living in the City of York, thus statistically, we would expect there to be 1,923 children in the city who have been, or will be, sexually abused. North Yorkshire Police have produced a problem profile for CSE which was updated in April The number of children identified as being of concern is small (15 victims, 16 perpetrators) however the analysis of NYP potential victims of CSE highlights habitual missing from home (MFH) episodes as a key vulnerability indicator (particularly for Looked After Children), along with substance misuse. There are 10 children currently identified as displaying sexually harmful behaviour (December 2014); five are subject to statutory court orders due to their behaviour. A further three are identified as requiring AIM2 3 assessment and intervention as part of a diversionary approach. Work is underway to establish a robust method to record and report on the numbers of children and young people with whom the Youth Offending Team (YOT), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Children s Social Care work. Provision of Services In place Accredited Attachment Training for Foster Carers (Children s Social Care) The accredited Trauma and Attachment Programme held at York St John University provides foster carers with the opportunity to consolidate their learning and experience from the level 1 and level 2 Trauma and Attachment Programme facilitated by CAMHS. These programmes offer foster carers insight and expertise into the underlying emotional affect of trauma, neglect, separation and abuse experienced by many of our looked after children. To date approximately 80 foster carers have attended levels 1/2 training and six experienced foster carers have attended and graduated from the accredited programme which has supported their professional development in understanding and attending to the complex emotional, 3 AIM (Assessment Intervention Moving On) is a project assisting workforce development around assessment and intervention, particularly in working with sexually harmful or risky behaviour. The vision is of a collaborative model that sits across agencies and the Local Authority to establish a range of services to meet the diverse needs of these young people and their families. 4

5 developmental and cognitive affect of early child abuse, sexual harm, loss and direct and indirect trauma. Letting the Future In (NSPCC) therapeutic service NSPCC in York delivers a therapeutic service for children aged 4-17 years of age who have been sexually abused, and their safe carers. The service worked with 26 child victims of sexual abuse cases in the City of York. The programme called Letting the Future In provides individual work with children, individual work with safe carers and joint work with children and parents together. The intervention is based on the Recovery and Regeneration model developed by Anne Bannister and the intervention will typically last between six to nine months but in some cases up to 12 months. The service is part of the largest international study ever undertaken into the effectiveness of this integrated therapeutic model and is part of a randomised control trial being undertaken by Bristol and Durham universities. As such a wide range of standardised measures are being used to assess the impact of sexual abuse and the effectiveness of the intervention. There are also in-depth studies with families and children to understand more about their experience of the service and the therapeutic relationship. The Bristol and Durham teams are headed up by professors who have a specialist interest in this area of work. NSPCC underwear rule campaign The NSPCC has worked in partnership with York Safeguarding Children Board to embed the NSPCC s Underwear Rule campaign with parents and professionals across the city. The campaign aims to encourage parents to have conversations with their children about how to stay safe from sexual abuse. Following its success, CYSCB have decided to encourage primary schools to use the materials with KS1 children and also look at how the messages can be adapted for use in early years settings. The campaign messages concur with the messages that children in Years 5 and 6 are given as part of the ChildLine Schools Service and are aimed at preventing abuse. ChildLine Schools Service ChildLine has committed to developing a service which would contribute to all nine to 11 year old children having an understanding of abuse, how to protect themselves and how to access help when they need it. The service has worked with partners, schools, children and parents across the UK and evaluated 128 pilots in 94 schools to find the best method to reach out to younger children, including those who do not have access to technology. 5

6 Childline are now able to roll out this evidence based free ChildLine Schools Service to all primary schools in York. They currently work in partnership with 28 of the primary schools. Planned Women as Protectors (NSPCC) is a new ten week group work service that NSPCC hope to run in York from January It is for the female partners or significant others (eg mother or sister) of men who pose a risk of sexual harm to children. A significant number of sex offenders will either return to their families or move into a new relationship where children are living. The partners of these offenders play a key role both in terms of child protection and the offender s relapse prevention. The programme is designed to assess and enhance protective ability in terms of preventing sexual abuse, with post programme written report and recommendations to the referring agency based on one of three specific premises: The group member is capable of ensuring that her children are adequately protected in the future The group member is capable of protecting her children but the need for both practical and emotional support has been identified. This will then initiate the provision of a volunteer to act as a family support while monitoring any further child protection issues The group member s participation raised serious concerns and further assessment work should be undertaken. All group members are required to complete a set of psychometric questionnaires that will both help inform the assessment process and the impact of that process upon the individual concerned. A unique feature of the programme is that it acts as a tool for facilitators to assess whether a specially trained volunteer is required to mentor the non-offending partner. Community based volunteers are used to help mentor, support and in some cases add an additional layer of risk assessment in those families where sexual abuse is endemic. The programme has been built on developments in sex offender treatment work, including Better Lives, Good Lives Model, mindfulness and the promotion of Social Capital. The programme will also include work with children of the women attending the group. Extension to Paediatric Child Sexual Abuse Medical Assessment Hours (Health) NHS England has recently confirmed that they have awarded the contract for a Paediatric Sexual Assault Referral Centre to York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This will facilitate the provision of paediatric forensic medical examinations in relation to possible child sexual abuse, for residents within City of York and North Yorkshire. It is proposed that in time these assessments 6

7 will be available for extended hours in the week and for slots at the weekend and Bank Holidays. Additionally, to ensure children and young people who have been sexually abused have access to time critical services, such as emergency contraception and blood borne virus prevention, York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have commenced the delivery of training, with input from Police, to all paediatricians and Emergency Department doctors across York and North Yorkshire. Training will include early evidence kits, emergency contraception and post exposure prophylaxis for blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted diseases. Forensic Suite (Health) York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are also developing a specific suite (within the Acorn Unit at York Hospital) which will meet the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine guidelines for children and young people who need forensic samples taking. The suite will be staffed by health professionals (nurses and doctors) who will have completed the Forensic and Medical Examination for Rape and Sexual Assault course by the end of In the interim, when necessary, a forensic medical examiner will undertake the medical assessment alongside a Consultant Paediatrician. Child Sexual Exploitation Specific Services Sexual exploitation of children an young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive something (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child s immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the Internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources. Violence and intimidation are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability. National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young people (NWG) 2008 Child sexual exploitation continues to be at the forefront of Government and media attention. However, the CYSCB believes that too narrow a focus on child sexual exploitation may result in failing to acknowledge that this is just one manifestation of child sexual abuse; and that practitioners, communities and families should be supported in preventing, identifying and 7

8 responding to all forms of sexual abuse. To counter this, the CYSCB determined that CSE should be within the remit of the CSA sub group of the CYSCB. It is recognised that the nature of CSE makes it imperative that there is close cross boundary working between agencies. As a result the CYSCB is actively engaged with the North Yorkshire & York Child Sexual Exploitation countywide CSE strategic group, chaired by North Yorkshire Police, which seeks to develop a cross border strategy, with local LSCBs developing and implementing localised action plans. Joint initiatives with North Yorkshire (NYSCB) A joint CSE conference, held in March 2014, which brought together over 200 practitioners from across the County to hear from a range of key national speakers, and to contribute to the locally determined action plans A workforce survey (BASIS) has been undertaken (summer 2014) to gauge practitioner knowledge of CSE: Amongst City of York practitioner respondents over half of respondents perceived their knowledge of CSE to be Medium (59% n=65), 26 (23%) respondents assessed their current knowledge of CSE as high. 18% (n=20) perceived their knowledge of CSE to be Low or Very Low. Less than half identify themselves as working for City of York Council. The large majority of respondents were able to identify at least one of the three main indicators of CSE, such as having new gifts (n=37, 33%), missing (n=34, 31%), increased sexualised behaviour (n=33, 29%), behaviour/mood changes (n=16, 14%), and school absences/poor educational achievement (n=14, 13%). Indeed, just three respondents couldn t identify a single indicator. These findings suggest relatively high levels of perceived knowledge amongst survey respondents, yet indicate scope to enhance knowledge. Police The North Yorkshire Police Central Referral Unit (CRU) has facilitated improved information sharing by the public and professionals. Professionals are able to share information (using an information sharing form) about potential victims or perpetrators with the police which is analysed by a central unit. This information is triangulated with CSC monthly. It is planned that the named midwife for safeguarding children will join this monthly meeting. 8

9 Health Health organisations within City of York have adopted the Information Sharing document to enable staff to communicate to Police issues of concern that do not involve a specific child being identified as being at risk of CSA/E. York Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust (YTHFT) include issues relating to CSA&E in all level 2 & level 3 training for Trust staff, i.e. for those staff who work with adults who may be parents/ carers of children and young people as well as staff who work directly with children and young people. From 2 February 2015 the Young People s Sexual Health team will be using the 'Spotting the Signs ' risk assessment pro forma which has been compiled by BASH and Brook. The pro forma will be completed for all young people under the age of 18. City of York Safeguarding Children Board CYSCB training specific to child sexual exploitation has been rolled out across York (see page 9) The CYSCB has continued to respond to practitioner requests for learning opportunities to raise awareness, improve knowledge and develop skills (see workforce development section). A protocol for missing from home and care is currently being agreed. This work is being completed under the auspices of a CYSCB task and finish group E safety campaign and awareness work carried out in schools and parenting groups Briefings delivered to Cabinet and Licensing Committee. Training for York taxi drivers in line with a similar package delivered in Scarborough and Harrogate (over 200 drivers to date) Operation Liberate Police and Youth Offending Team led, multi-agency policing operations to identify youth hotspots, take vulnerable individuals to a place of safety, and assess need for intervention. City of York Children s Social Care Children s Social Care has improved their support to practitioners by having a trained Advanced Practitioner who takes the lead on advising Social Workers with CSE cases. The CSE lead meets with the CSE lead in police to share information on a monthly basis. Data systems and information on the prevalence and nature of CSE in York have also been developed by Children s Social Care and from October 2014 CSC is able to record and report the numbers of cases which have had a CSE concern. Single agency training has been provided for front line staff on CSE. Completed audit against NWG self assessment tool (October 14) Guidance for responding to CSA&E has been updated and is on CYSCB website. 9

10 City of York Children s Advice Team Professionals are able to flag a concern for CSE with the Children s Advice Team if the concern does not meet the threshold for CSC involvement. This information is then triangulated with police and children s social care information on a monthly basis. Jack Raine Foundation (Boxing Club) This foundation is a York based charity established in It has formed an unique link with the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Communities and currently has two members of the Gypsy community working with disengaged and hard to reach children referred from the Danesgate Community Pupil Support Unit, and a four further members of this community, who are qualified boxing coaches, each giving 100s of hours every year to the Boxing Club on a volunteer basis. Building on the core boxing function the foundation has developed a range of interventions for children and young people to promote: Healthy Relationships Sessions (11-25 year old males) - NWG endorsed Healthy Relationships Sessions (for girls) NWG endorsed and: CSE awareness training for Sports Coaches Parent Support (Children at risk of CSE) Support for Schools (using the Barnardos FCASE materials ) Numbers for 1 September 2014 to 7 January 2015 Parents supported 6 Parents with a more balanced knowledge of CSE / Healthy relationships 42 Level 1 Boxing Coaches workshop in basic CSE 89 Level 2 Boxing Coaches knowledge and signs to look out for CSE awareness 24 Sports Club s Child Welfare Officers trained to NWG and Barnardos SECOS basic knowledge 7 Regional Club Development Officer trained to NWG and Barnardos SECOS basic 2 10

11 knowledge Boys aged 11 to 15yrs attended a Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety course Male Youth aged 16 to 19yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Male Young adult aged 20 to 25yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy 32 Relationship / CSE / Online safety Girls aged 11 to 15yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Female Youth aged 16 to 19yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Female Young adult aged 20 to 25yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Female with historic concerns of CSE aged 35yr plus 3 Gypsy, Roma & Traveller boys aged 11 to 15yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Gypsy, Roma & Traveller male Youth aged 16 to 19yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Gypsy, Roma & Traveller male Young adult aged 20 to 25yrs received a Tool Box Talk on Healthy Relationship / CSE / Online safety Disclosures made to Police Intelligence of children of possible CSE 6 5 GIRLS 1 BOY Disclosures made to Police Intelligence of perpetrators of possible CSE 13 11

12 City of York Safeguarding Children Board - in progress/planned Working with local businesses (e.g. fast food outlets) to promote safe places for young people (CYSCB unit) Consideration of using the Say Something if you See Something Campaign with licensed premises and services (incl. incorporating the campaign messages and materials into the above taxi training). A CSA&E web site (It s Not s OK) to link with the YorOK website. A year long campaign raising awareness of CSA&E across the City Sexually harmful behaviour specific services Working with young people who display sexually harmful behaviour (SHB) is complex and involves specialist work in order to engage young people and their families in assessment and intervention to prevent long lasting harmful behaviour to others and ultimately to the long term prospects of the child themselves. Recent reports from the Office of the Children s Commissioner 4 relate to the wider issue of child exploitation and the seeming acceptance of inappropriate and concerning sexualised behaviour between children and young people. The report helps us to consider how tackling sexually harmful behaviours and relationships from a wider perspective, as well as at an earlier point is a consideration for all services looking to engage young people in diverting away from risky and problematic behaviours. Developing service delivery around sexually harmful behaviour is intended to deliver the following outcomes: Young people receive good, quality and relevant assessment and intervention from appropriately trained professionals, regardless of where and when their harmful behaviour is identified. The children s workforce in York feel equipped and confident in delivering services to this group of young people and this shows in the quality of their assessment and intervention. A network of professionals is established to respond in a flexible and timely way to the 4 Berelowitz, S. et al (2013). If only someone had listened The Office of the Children s Commissioner s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups Final Report. London: Office of the Children s Commissioner. 12

13 needs of this group of young people and the services with whom they come into contact. Services offer the ability for early assessment and intervention which allows appropriate diversion from the criminal justice system. Services offer robust assessments to the Courts to increase confidence that public protection remains a core element of work with such vulnerable young people. Transitions to adult services are fully informed by assessments that can offer clarity around their behaviour, previous intervention, and ways forward for their stage of development, maturity and motivation. In place Children s Social Care (CSC) and York YOT are working with the North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children s Board SHB Working Group. Together, the group has developed a joint Strategy and Practice Guidance on Children and Young People Displaying Concerning Sexualised Behaviour. The group is working on a cross-border approach to identifying training and support needs and the commitment of resources to this. A multi-agency forensic panel for children with harmful behaviour. The key functions of the panel identify the expertise within the City to assess and intervene in high risk cases and identify the need for any specialist forensic services. Newly trained pool of AIM2 assessors within YOT and Children s Social Care (across disciplines). In progress/planned Revise policies and procedures in line with the strategy and a multi-agency approach to identification, referral and assessment of concerning sexualised behaviour. Identify workforce development needs to offer early intervention and specialised intervention, supervision and support. Further exploration of regional examples of good practice in multi-agency responses to sexually harmful behaviour on how to deliver the work in line with the safeguarding, criminal justice, early intervention and Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) agendas. CYSCB Child Sexual Abuse Learning & Development Child Sexual Exploitation: responding to concerns multi-agency half - day briefing (various) Identifying normal /problematic sexual behaviours; vulnerability to, and indicators of, child sexual exploitation; and, knowing how, and where, to pass on concerns. 13

14 Child Sexual Exploitation: targeted training for those working with young people and families multi-agency one-day course (ongoing) Aimed at practitioners, including foster carers, who would be in a direct support role with young people and/or parents. Child Sexual Exploitation: learning lessons briefing multi-agency half-day briefing (5.6.13) Lessons learned from Child B SCR; nationally recognised good practice; and, input from National Working Group for sexually exploited children and young people. 100 delegates attended. North Yorkshire and York LSCB Child Sexual Exploitation one-day conference Hosted in York, this event brought together 200 delegates from across the County to look at how we can develop good practice and improve outcomes locally. Trauma, Attachment & Response Masterclass ( ) Delivered by Zoe Lodrick, psychologist, the event included content on impact of childhood trauma on developing unhealthy relationships in adolescent. National Respect conference ( , York) This national event, looking at abuse in teen relationships and towards parents, included a workshop on CSE delivered by the CYSCB SA (CW) Sex & Relationship Education for children & young people: multi-agency and Education (various) Offered to multi-agency or school audiences to support delivery of sex education either in Education (PHSE/SRE) or other settings, the course offers resources to help with lesson planning; and, supports staff in identifying and responding to concerns. NSPCC Let s Talk PANTS launch ( ) Delivered in partnership with NSPCC, this event attracted around 60 delegates from schools, children s centres, out of school clubs, Special Educational Needs services and other settings. Individual schools and other settings in the City have engaged directly with NSPCC to roll out the campaign to parents and carers. CSE Practice Learning Group (ongoing) Initially developed to support learning from the Child B Serious Case Review the group, which attracts up to 15 practitioners, will review its function in line with CYSCB priority areas. Other events/inputs include: schools and taxi drivers (delivered by Caroline Williamson approx 200 taxi drivers on CYC contracts have been trained); York St John university; York College; CYC Environmental Health; CYC Licensing Committee etc. 14

15 Evaluation All CYSCB training and learning is evaluated at the time of delivery and, in 2013, a number of courses were subjected to post course evaluation up to six months later. Feedback is consistently high, scoring 90-95%+ in the Excellent or Good categories. The CYSCB Learning and Development sub-group is exploring ways in which ongoing impact of learning on practice can be measured. 15

16 Summary Pre-School Primary School Age Secondary School Age Overcome Letting the Future In (NSPCC) therapeutic service Attachment training for foster carers Protect Women as Protectors (NSPCC) Flagging of concerns (Advice Team CSES) Awareness Raising Taxi Drivers Targeted (Prevent) Universal (Prepare) Healthy Relationships (Jack Raine Foundation) Underwear Rule Campaign ChildLine Schools Service Support for Schools (Jack Raine Foundation and Education) E safety campaign (schools) It s Not OK campaign It s Not OK website 16

17 Professionals Training on sign/symptom/response to CSA Aim2 Training (Assessment & Treatment) SHB Spotting the Signs Risk Assessment (Sexual Health) 17