Child sexual abuse in the context of exploitation training for MACPTs

Children are sexually abused in many different ways, and in different situations or contexts. One form of this abuse is sexual exploitation, often referred to as child sexual exploitation.

The definition of this context of abuse has changed over time and crosses over into other forms of sexual abuse. This creates challenges in identifying children who have been sexually exploited, recording and analysing data around sexual exploitation, and responding in practice. 

You can learn more about this context of abuse in our resource Key messages from research on child sexual exploitation.

Yes – this training is free of charge to practitioners in Multi-agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs) and related teams.

The Department for Education has funded the CSA Centre to deliver this training programme with the aim of improving responses to child sexual abuse in the context of exploitation across England and Wales. This means it can be delivered at no cost to safeguarding agencies.

To ensure this course has it’s intended impact, we are asking workforce leads to advertise this training offer across relevant agencies and teams over the period of this offer.

This training offer is open to staff working within Multi-agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs) or related teams.

Staff currently working in MACPTs will be prioritised for this training. As not all local authorities have these arrangements in place as yet, and that there are differing arrangements for managing child sexual exploitation across England, this training is also relevant and available to those staff planning to move to MACPTs, and those working in other relevant teams including, for example, family help teams, specialist exploitation teams, and adolescent teams.

This training course is split across two sessions across two days. Day one introduces you to the subject of child sexual abuse in the context of exploitation, and day two covers how to respond to this form of harm in practice.

Day one

You will:

• Develop a shared understanding of child sexual abuse as a form of child sexual abuse
• Explore the central role of the grooming process in the sexual exploitation of children and young people
• Identify signs and indicators of child sexual abuse in the context of exploitation
• Increase understanding of experiences and factors that heighten young peopl’s vulnerability to sexual abuse in the context of exploitation.
• Examine how sexual abuse in the context of exploitation impacts males and challenge gender-based assumptions and barriers to recognition and support.

Day two

You will:

• Understand policy frameworks and societal attitudes relating to child sexual abuse in the context of exploitation and how these influence safeguarding responses.
• Critically reflect on the language used about young people affected by child sexual exploitation and promote effective, child-centred communication that supports informed professional responses.
• Explore contextual safeguarding models and consider the challenges and limitations they present in responding to child sexual exploitation.
• Develop understanding of how risk assessment tools are used to safeguard children from sexual abuse in the context of exploitation.
• Recognise the importance of multi-agency working and strengthen skills in effective disruption, risk management, and safety planning to reduce harm and increase protection.