Crime and intelligence - Child sexual exploitation policy (N24)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This policy was reviewed in October 2022. The following amendments have been made:

• links have been updated to reflect changes on SharePoint

2. What this policy is about

2.1. This policy describes the police's role within the multi-agency task of protecting children in Kent and Medway from child sexual exploitation (CSE) and child criminal exploitation (CCE). It sets out their functions as described in legislation and guidance within the Kent and Medway child protection procedures. It relates to all children under 18 years old.

2.2. This policy applies to all police officers, special constables, police community support officers and police staff employees including those contracted through private finance initiatives.

Compliance with this policy and any linked procedures is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1. The priorities of Kent Police in responding to child sexual exploitation are to protect the lives of children and ensure that in tackling child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation, the welfare of all children is paramount, as per the force Control Strategy.

3.2. We will fully engage with our statutory partners to adopt a proactive multi-agency approach to identify children who are potentially at risk from exploitation. We will implement plans to address the risks safeguarding the child, sharing all relevant information and intelligence with partner agencies. Where possible will adopt an investigative strategy that will effectively target suspects and known perpetrators to ensure the risk they pose to the children and the wider public is minimised and that they are brought to justice or disrupted at the earliest opportunity.

3.3. Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where the young person (or third person/s) receive something (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities.

3.4. Criminal exploitation of children and young people under 18 occurs when an individual or group takes advantages of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person into any activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.

3.5. Safeguarding children is a fundamental part of the duties of all police officers and staff. The Children Act 2004 places a wider duty on officers to safeguard and promote the welfare of children therefore there is a requirement to consider whether a child is at risk of harm. In order to identify and challenge CSE and CCE they should follow recognised principles to safeguard and protect the welfare of children and young people.

3.6. Voice of the Child and AWARE will be used to ensure that the voices of children and young people are explicitly considered and recorded. AWARE will be used to identify any factors (appearance, words. activity, relationships and environment) that may place a child or young person at increased risk of CSE or CCE and will be recorded on the NCI and/or investigation report.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1. Finance/staffing/training/other

4.1.1. This policy is capable of impacting on finances and staffing particularly in respect of complex and multiple victim or offender scenarios.

4.2. Risk assessments

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as high risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. This policy has been the subject of an equality impact assessment. The policies and procedures are, however, justified, lawful, proportionate and necessary for the proper investigation of child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation related offences including radicalisation.

5. Monitoring and review

5.1. The policy and compliance unit monitor policies and keep up to date with legislative and guidance changes.

5.2. This policy will be reviewed every two years with the next review taking place in October 2024.

6. Related force policies

• N08 Missing persons

7. Security

7.1. Kent Police has measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy (Policy W1000 - Information Management).

8. Retention and disposal of records

8.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy (Policy W1012 - Records Review, Retention and Disposal).