Spotting the signs

The impact of Covid-19 has meant that children and young people have had more access to the internet than ever before. This increased internet use combined with children being less visible to professionals during lockdown means that children are at much greater risk of exploitation. The NSPCC have also found that the conditions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have made children more vulnerable to being exploited. 

One approach to tackling child exploitation is Contextual Safeguarding, a pioneering approach to considering the management of risk to children outside of the home. Wiltshire is 1 of just 5 local authority areas to be working with the University of Bedfordshire to implement this approach throughout their work with children and young people. For more information about Contextual Safeguarding, and for up to date newsletters on Wiltshire’s work in this area, please see the Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership website. 

As in previous years, Child Exploitation Awareness Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of child exploitation. Below is a list of resources to mark the day. 

• STOP CSE – National Child Exploitation Awareness Day – comprehensive information on Child Exploitation and various resources available for download
• sway.com – ‘Spotting the signs’ posters to download, Case Studies, and other resources for professionals  
• nwgnetwork.com – Information for parents and carers
• You can also download banners to add to your emails here