RF Multi-agency response to child criminal exploitation

• Who is the primary researcher for the study on child criminal exploitation?

  Shelley Cathers
• What is the trigger warning provided in the lecture?

  Some material is difficult to hear and see
• What are the learning objectives of the lecture?

  1. Definition of child criminal exploitation
  2. Appearance of CCE in the UK
  3. Factors impacting multi-agency response from policing
  4. Social psychological theories related to CCE recruitment
• What is the definition of child criminal exploitation (CCE)?

  Exploitation through coercion or manipulation of children
• How many children in England are thought to be involved in gangs?

  46,000 children
• How many children were identified as being at risk of criminal exploitation in 2020/21?

  12,720 children
• How many children in London are being criminally exploited?

  4,000 children
• What forms of child criminal exploitation (CCE) take place in the UK?

  • Drug offences
  • Theft
  • Burglary
  • Robbery
  • Arson
  • Vandalism
  • Money laundering
  • Providing false alibis
  • Perpetrating violence
• What are some signs of child criminal exploitation?

  Changes in behavior, unexplained possessions, school expulsions
• What did Van Ngo et al (2015) find about youth and gang membership?

  Crises of identity propel youth towards gangs
• How does normative social influence relate to CCE?

  It shows a hierarchy of involvement in gangs
• What is the victim-offender narrative in CCE?

  Children can be both victims and offenders
• What does the Children Act (1989) state about children?

  Children are entitled to protection until 18
• What is a key challenge in multi-agency responses to CCE?

  Disagreement on the victim-offender narrative
• What factors improve multi-agency response to CCE?

  1. Adopting family-centric approaches
  2. Managing operational capabilities
  3. Continuous learning and developing expertise
• What is a family-centric approach in responding to CCE?

  Engaging with the child and their family
• What is one aspect of managing operational capabilities?

  Efficient resource allocation
• Why is continuous learning important for police officers?

  To bridge the gap between theory and practice
• What are the recommendations for improving multi-agency response to CCE?

  • Justify decisions to other agencies
  • Attend multi-agency training
  • Create information sharing agreements
  • Ensure sufficient funding for services
• What is the take-home message from the lecture?

  Thank you and questions
• What is the email address of the primary researcher?

  [e-mail]
• What is the significance of the Children’s Commissioner (2019) statement?

  It challenges the perception of child criminality
• What does the Home Office (2020) state about children's consent?

  Children cannot consent to exploitative activities
• How do police officers view the relationship between victims and offenders?

  Victims can also be offenders in CCE
• What is the role of thematic analysis in the study?

  To analyze data from interviews and focus groups
• What is the purpose of the co-participatory approach in the research?

  To gather perspectives on multi-agency response
• What is one challenge mentioned regarding police officers' perspectives?

  Disconnect between theory and practice
• What is the significance of joint meetings in multi-agency collaboration?

  They facilitate communication and coordination
• What does the study aim to identify regarding multi-agency response?

  Good practices and challenges in response
• What is the importance of statutory guidance in multi-agency response?

  It defines roles and responsibilities clearly
• How does the study address the issue of funding for exploitation-related services?

  It emphasizes the need for sufficient funding
• What is the role of performance measures in tackling exploitation?

  To evaluate effectiveness in addressing exploitation