Child Exploitation JSNA

What is being done and why

Nationally

Government Strategy & Legislation32

  • Crime & Policing Bill (2025) - Introduces mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse, criminalises obstructing reports, and strengthens sentencing for grooming offences.
  • National Strategic Assessment (NCA) - Identifies 840,000 adults posing sexual risk to children; highlights online abuse and peer-on-peer exploitation.
  • Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) – Led to reforms in institutional safeguarding and support for survivors.

Tackling Child Exploitation Support Programme33

Funded by the Department for Education, supported by Home Office, DHSC, and MoJ. Provides strategic support to local areas to improve multi-agency responses to CSE and CCE. Offers Practice Principles, training, and system-change resources.

The Children’s Society34

  • Disrupting Exploitation: One-to-one support and systems change work (2018–2025).
  • Prevention Programme: Focuses on transforming environments and organisational responses.
  • #LookCloser Campaign: Raises awareness among professionals and the public.

Regionally

SCARPA (Safeguarding Children at Risk – Prevention and Action)34

Delivered by The Children’s Society across the North-East, offers non-time-limited support to children at risk of CSE/CCE. Works with families and professionals; includes training and awareness programmes.

Barnardo’s SECOS & ACE Projects34

Provide outreach, education and therapeutic support for sexually exploited children. Operating in the Tees Valley, including Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Durham and Darlington.

Northumbria & Redcar Bespoke Projects33

Focused on improving data use, contextual safeguarding, and strategic leadership.

Locally

Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) Model35
Hartlepool Borough Council’s multi-agency framework replacing MACE/VEMT, addresses extra-familial harm including online abuse, CSE, and CCE. Promotes shared safeguarding responsibility among professionals, families, and communities.

Stockton & Hartlepool Bespoke Support Project (TCE)36

  • Developed a contextual safeguarding approach tailored to local risks.
  • Strengthened multi-agency collaboration and data intelligence sharing.

Operation Artemis (Cleveland Police)36

  • Multi-agency enforcement and awareness campaign targeting organised crime groups exploiting children.
  • Includes community education, professional training, and safeguarding visits.