1.6.8 Child Sexual Exploitation Screening Threshold Table

RELEVANT GUIDANCE

Child sexual exploitation: definition and guide for practitioners

AMENDMENT

Links to the related guidance and London Safeguarding Children Procedures were updated in February 2021.

This threshold tool has been developed for the purpose of screening child sexual exploitation cases and is based upon the London LSCB Safeguarding Children Partnership Safeguarding Children from Sexual Exploitation and the Barnardos Sexual Exploitation risk Assessment Framework (2007). A risk assessment framework has been developed by Redbridge Police and the London Borough of Redbridge which reflects The National Police Chiefs' Council recognised categories of risk as outlined below. This identifies the typical vulnerabilities in children prior to abuse and lists specific risks to be aware of under each of the three categories.

Please note the table operates an escalation process therefore risk factors in Category 1, will also be evident in Category 2 and 3 and so on.

This framework needs to be used flexibly to take account of each child’s individual circumstances.

CATEGORY OF RISK	DESCRIPTIONS OF RISK	OUTCOMES
Category 1: At Risk A vulnerable child who is at risk of being targeted and groomed for sexual exploitation.	Missing from home. Sharing indecent images of themselves with others in their peer group. Evidence of ‘sexting’. Low self-esteem / self confidence Learning difficulties. Poor mental health. Problems relating to sexual orientation.	Threshold met for a child with additional needs. Referral to the Redbridge Early Intervention Service. Refer to MASE. Police: All initial category 1 suspicions/allegations are managed by Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU’s) or Children’s Services. The MPS Sexual Exploitation Team will monitor these suspicions/notifications to support BOCU’s and Children’s Services to ensure timely interventions are made where appropriate. Category 1 cases should go through the local MASH process.
Category 2: Medium Risk A child who is targeted for opportunistic abuse through the exchange of sex for drugs, accommodation, and goods. The likelihood of cohesion and control is significant.	Receipt of Unexplained Gifts or Money. Alcohol and Drug Misuse. Substance misuse. Involvement in crime. Evidence of sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and termination, inappropriate sexualised behaviour. Unexplained injuries or changes to physical appearance. Thoughts of or attempts of self-harm and suicide. Familial sexual abuse, physical, abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, DV, parental; mental ill health or substance misuse, parental criminality, homelessness, living in care.	Threshold met for Child In Need in Redbridge. Child and Family Assessment to be completed. Multi Agency strategy meeting required where a decision will be made about S47 threshold. Refer to MASE. Police: All category 2 and 3 allegations will be allocated to The Sexual Exploitation Team who will decide upon the appropriate pathway to the police response. Category 2 and 3 cases will be referred to the Child Abuse Investigation Team via the normal referral process.
Category 3: High Risk A child, whose sexual exploitation is habitual, often self-defined and where coercion and control is implicit.	Distrust of Authority Figures. Problematic substance misuse / addiction. Direct involvements with gangs. Children under 13 engaging in sexual activity with another over 15 years old. Clipping. Children abused through child prostitution. Receiving reward for recruiting others to CSE. Rape / Sexual Assault. Frequently seen in and removed from red light districts by professionals due to CSE.	Threshold met for Child Protection. Multi Agency strategy meeting required. Strategy discussion / meeting and Section 47 required. Refer to MASE. Police: All category 2 and 3 allegations will be allocated to The Sexual Exploitation Team who will decide upon the appropriate pathway to the police response. Category 2 and 3 cases will be referred to the Child Abuse Investigation Team via the normal referral process.

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