Monday 18th March is Child Exploitation Awareness Day! Building up to this, we will be bringing you news, articles and training opportunities on this important topic.
This week, we will feature articles written by agencies across the Partnership raising awareness of the work they do to protect children and young people from Exploitation, as well as providing insight into initiatives that take place which you may not already be aware of.
As part of the Child Exploitation Day, we would also like your help in spreading the messages and social media posts so that everyone in Somerset can learn from one another and provide better safeguarding against Child Exploitation.
Please find information on some of the work already taking place below!
Training
Raising Awareness of Child Exploitation
This is a FREE training offer facilitated by Avon and Somerset Police’s Operation Topaz team.
Androulla Nicolaou runs an engaging and informative workshop for professionals to gain an awareness of what Child exploitation is, and how we can work together to prevent it.
You can book your FREE space here!
Be Fearless!
South West online Fearless session – Monday 18th March – 11:00am
Fearless is the dedicated youth service of the independent charity Crimestoppers. They provide young people with the opportunity to share information about crime 100% anonymously.
Want to know more about how you can help young people stay safe?
This online session will cover the following:
- What is fearless?
- The difference between snitching and reporting.
- Breaking down barriers to reporting crime.
The session will take place on Teams and you can book your free place here!
Training for parents
To mark Child Exploitation Awareness Day, Operation Topaz are also running a FREE workshop aimed at parents, which will raise awareness of the issue, inform them of the signs of exploitation and identify the support available.
Parents are often the first to notice if their child is being exploited. Would you know how to spot the signs?
Parents/Carers can join the free online session with Androulla Nicolaou on Monday 18th March (6:00pm – 7:00pm) to:
- Learn about different types of exploitation.
- Understand the signs that a child may be at risk, or being groomed.
- Discover how offenders groom and exploit children, both online and offline.
- Know how to keep your child safe and what to do if you have concerns.
You can join the online Microsoft Teams session here!
Resources
Listen to the SSCP Podcast
We have recorded a podcast with the lead Social Worker for Exploitation, Chloe Deverell which outlines the work that her and the team undertake to safeguard children against exploitation.
The episode will be published on Monday 18th March to coincide with Child Exploitation Awareness Day, if you would like to listen to it beforehand, you can access it here or listen via the link below:
Bite Size Video Resources
In Dec 2022, we focused our online forum week of webinars on the subject of Exploitation.
You can find the whole playlist below:
Bite-sized videos include:
Support a Day of Action
Join the Children’s Social Care CE Roadshow
In aid of the 10th anniversary of the National Child Exploitation Day, Somerset Children’s Services are holding a Child Exploitation Roadshow on
Tuesday 19th March
Wells City Football Club, Rowden’s Road, BA5 1TU from 9:30am – 1:00pm.
The aim of the multi-agency roadshow is to highlight the issues surrounding Child Exploitation and encourage practitioners to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to Child Exploitation.
Book your space HERE
Supporting Child Exploitation Awareness Day
Want to get involved and help spread the word?
You can share information which will be promoted through the SSCP.
The Charity NWG have a whole series of resources to support the media campaign, which you can access here!
Stay tuned throughout the week for more articles!
