Exploitation

There are various types of exploitation which a child or young person can be exposed to. They are:

• criminal exploitation, gangs and county lines
• child sexual exploitation
• child trafficking and modern slavery.

Exploitation toolkit

Kent and Medway, with partner agencies, have worked together to produce a child exploitation identification tool.  The tool is designed to assist practitioners in identifying whether a child may be experiencing or be vulnerable to exploitation.

Kent and Medway Child Exploitation Identification Tool (DOCX, 124.8 KB)

KCC Exploitation Tools

An exploitation assessment and planning tool is now available via EHM/Liberi/Core+ and can be used by all KCC CYPE staff.

View practice guidance for child exploitation tools (DOCX, 142.0 KB)

View child exploitation and safeguarding framework diagram   (PDF, 180.9 KB)

Share Community Partnership Intelligence

A new portal, hosted on the Kent Police website, allows broader intelligence sharing beyond just CSE. Submissions are assessed by the Kent Intelligence Bureau and disseminated within Kent Police appropriately.

Find out further information by viewing the Community Partnership Intelligence Portal flyer (PDF, 301.1 KB).

Wherever a safeguarding concern is present please also ensure you follow guidance;  Kent -  Worried about a child - Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership

Do not use the portal to report crime or urgent intelligence. It is not monitored 24/7 and has no dedicated resource. Alternative reporting routes:

• For crimes in progress or immediate risk - 999
• For non-urgent crime or intelligence - Live chat/Online reporting via the Kent Police website
• For anonymous reporting - Crimestoppers.

Sharing information correctly ensures Kent Police can assess, act, and respond effectively. Even if the portal isn't suitable, information must still be shared by an alternative route. Risk remains with the sender until Kent Police accepts it via the correct route.

It remains vital for partners to share information about those vulnerable to child exploitation, as well as those who may be seeking to exploit a child, with Kent Police at the earliest opportunity. Sharing this information could prevent a child from coming to harm, or from experiencing ongoing harm.

There are many potential criminal offences associated with child exploitation including but not limited to:

Child abduction, abduction of children in care, human trafficking, arranging or facilitating commission of a child sex offence, meeting a child following sexual grooming, paying for sexual services of a child, causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, controlling a child in relation to sexual exploitation, arranging or facilitating the sexual exploitation of a child.  New offences are anticipated later in 2025 relating to broader exploitation including criminal exploitation.

If you have a safeguarding concern, see 'Kent Support Level Guidance'. Remember, your concerns must be discussed with your safeguarding lead and the appropriate Request for Support made.

Leaflets

View guide to knife harm  for parents and carers leaflet (PDF, 835.5 KB)