In 2017, the Contextual Safeguarding programme (CSP) began partnering with local authorities to begin testing the Contextual Safeguarding (CS) framework in practice. This project was the first systematic attempt at evaluating the extent of the programme’s reach and impact. The Reach and Impact (R&I) workstream aimed to evidence the value that the CSP adds in terms of influencing policy and practice in response to extra-familial harm (EFH). Below is one of the case studies from the Reach and Impact Project. This case study describes how Contextual Safeguarding has influenced local systems and practice to improve the lives of young people experiencing or at risk of extra-familial harm. Names and some details have been changed to preserve young people’s anonymity.
What was the vision for Contextual Safeguarding?
Suffolk is a ceremonial county of England in East Anglia. Contextual Safeguarding (CS) aligns well with its Safeguarding adolescent’s strategy, providing a framework for responding to extra-familial harm (EFH). Addressing child exploitation is a priority for the Safer stronger communities board (SSCB) which links with children’s social care. The vision is to develop a CS strategic partnership that brings together Safer stronger communities with children’s social children’s social care to address EFH
What has been put in place?
A CS implementation group has been set up to coordinate CS-informed responses across the county. The following related developments have been introduced:
- Multi-Agency Criminal Exploitation Panels (MACE) and Vulnerability Assessment Tracker (VAT) to assist
identification of patterns of exploitation. - Child exploitation (CE) hubs work with key partners, voluntary groups, communities, children, and families to support, protect, and empower children and communities from the risk of criminal exploitation in hot spot locations.
- Location based work within a garage block and local skatepark undertaken to bring together local communities, schools, health services and the police to increase the safety of young people in the community
- The Make a Change (MAC) service support all young people up until the age of 18 years who are at risk or are victims of child exploitation. They also provide support and advice to parents and carers.
- Five CS champions trained to support practitioners embed CS approaches into their work with young people and families.
What were the challenges?
Transitional safeguarding approaches have been limited to leaving care services, unless young adults have been identified having additional care and support need. There are plans to develop services for young adults at risk of exploitation. Access to local youth services is variable, although detached youth workers are part of the newly formed CE hubs.
What were the key mechanisms of change?
Change is dependent on strategic buy in from the across the safeguarding partnership. There are opportunities to building on relationships with the SSCB to develop an overarching CS strategy that includes both community safety partners and children’s social care. At an operational level, the MACE and VAT are building understanding of contexts of concern and CE hubs working directly with children, families and local communities to increase young people’s safety.