Best Practice

Spotting and tackling child sexual exploitation

Pastoral issues Safeguarding Whole-school issues
Spotting potential child sexual exploitation is a key part of safeguarding work. Suzanne O’Connell provides a summary of what CSE refers to, how you and your staff might identify it, and what positive actions a primary school can take

It may be secondary-age children that receive most publicity when it comes to child sexual exploitation (CSE). However, primary school children can be involved in CSE too. It is expected that primary schools should also include coverage of the issue in their policies and make staff aware of risk factors and signs and symptoms.

Whereas most child abuse occurs within the home, CSE is often external and takes place within the community. It’s a community issue and as such, primary schools have a responsibility to work alongside other agencies in tackling what seems to be a growing problem.

According to Metropolitan Police Services the number of CSE-linked offences in London has risen from 602 a year to 1,107 in the last three years.

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