Child Sexual Exploitation – Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of sexual abuse in which a person(s) exploits, coerces and/or manipulates a child or young person into engaging in some form of sexual activity in return for something the child needs or desires and or/for the gain of the person(s) perpetrating or facilitating the abuse. Fear of what might happen if they do not comply can also be a significant influencing factor” Abduction – A person shall be guilty of an offence if, knowingly and without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, he takes a child who is in care, the subject of an Emergency Protection Order, or in Police Protection, away from the responsible person, or keeps the child away, or induces, assists, or incites such a child to run away or stay away from the responsible person. 4. JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS 4.1 To ensure an effective joint agency response to safeguarding runaway and missing including Looked After Children a formal on- should be established between HSC Trusts and Police Districts. Key elements of this arrangement are; The Public Protection Unit (PPU) Inspector will act as a single point of contact (SPOC). This is to provide a mechanism for liaison and joint planning where a child or Looked After Child is considered to be at risk of going missing or is repeatedly missing. A senior Trust manager (Grade 8A or above) nominated to take the lead in respect of the Trust’s response to the issue of runaway and missing children and the safeguarding of Looked After Children. An operational liaison group of key frontline HSC Trusts managers and Police Officers, meeting monthly, to share information and analyse data, identify patterns of risk, develop preventative strategies and implement and monitor action plans. A strategic Partnership Group of senior HSC Trust Managers and Police Officers, meeting at least 6 monthly to identify and resolve any barriers to effective joint working. A nominated Police Officer will act as a liaison point between the Police and children’s home staff within each Children’s Home. 5. RUNAWAY AND MISSING FROM HOME
1 – Risk Assessment - CODE GREEN Actions Action Owner There is no apparent threat or danger to the child / YP or the public The Trust is expected to act as a responsible parent would do in such a situation Try and contact the child by telephone Try calling their friends and family by telephone Check places where the child is known to visit Talk to other children or staff about possible reasons for the absence Keep the situation under review and consider additional actions to ascertain the child’s whereabouts. If the child whereabouts are not established or concern increases for whatever reason the child should be considered as missing and the Police notified. Any pattern of a child not being at the place where they are expected to be or being out of touch with staff or Residential Unit Staff, Kinship or Foster Carer. 09-17 hrs = Statutory 17 – 09.00 hrs – HSC staff/carers
to an immediate grading as AMBER: The child / YP has a learning difficulty or disability The current assessment indicates the possibility for the child to self-harm There is evidence to indicate, at the time of leaving the home, a significant change in the child’s attitude, mood and / or behaviours There are current concerns within the placement or at school (e.g. bullying, sexuality, racial abuse etc.) A child / YP on prescribed medication, which if not taken, could be detrimental to his / her health and / or well being Peer or adult acquaintances, are of concern to residential staff Clear evidence of use / addiction to drugs, alcohol or solvents A pattern of going missing, which must be considered in the context of the above factors The Residential Manager / Staff/Carer should still undertake Actions 1 - 4 (as at Code Green) as well as contacting Police Agree with PSNI what actions will be undertaken, by whom and timeline for update. Young Person Profile Part B (appendix B) completed and shared with PSNI Notify family – as appropriate Liaise with Social Worker PSNI & Trust to record / manage / investigate the missing incident as per Agency Procedure Police protocols Agreed approach to the actions to be taken on the LAC return. PSNI CMC & Residential Unit Staff / Carer PSNI CMC & IO & Residential Unit Staff / Carer Residential Unit Staff or Statutory SW Residential Unit Staff / Carer PSNI & Trust PSNI & 6.14 MISSING - CODE RED In situations where a Looked After Child whereabouts cannot be properly established and where the circumstances or the context suggests the young person may be subject of crime or at risk of harm to themselves or another. This includes those situations
where a risk assessment has identified specific immediate risks to the Looked After Child or to others if they are away from their placement. Missing definition - ‘Anyone whereabouts cannot be established and where the circumstances are out of character or the context suggests the person may be subject of crime or at risk to themselves or another.’ High risk – ‘The risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing that the subject is in danger through their own vulnerability; or may have been the victim of a serious crime; or the risk posed is immediate and there are substantial grounds for believing that the public is in danger.’ Stage 3 – Risk Assessment – CODE RED Actions Action Owner Upgrade code amber to Code Red if the following indicators / risk factors become apparent Information emerges which suggest the child is in the company of peers, or adults, who may exploit his /her vulnerabilities which will place them in immediate danger Information emerges that the child is being removed from placement or being prevented from returning to the placement Where the time frame is moving into late night, early hours of the morning Change in weather conditions and child / YP not clothed appropriately The Residential Manager / Staff should contact Police with updated information Ensure Actions as per Code AMBER have been undertaken Consider convening an Emergency LAC Review or planning meeting PSNI & to record / manage / investigate the missing incident as per Agency Procedure and Policy Residential Unit Staff / Carer PSNI CMC & IO & Residential Unit Staff / Carer Residential Unit Manger / Statutory SW and PSNI MPO PSNI &
Appendix C Belfast HSC Trust Telephone (for referral) 028 90507000 Areas Greater Belfast area Further Contact Details (for on-going professional liaison) Greater Belfast Gateway Team 414 Ormeau road Belfast, BT7 3HY Website South Eastern HSC Trust Telephone (for referral) 03001000300 Areas Lisburn, Dunmurry, Hillsborough, Bangor, Newtownards, Ards Peninsula, Comber, Downpatrick, Newcastle and Ballynahinch Further Contact Details (for on-going professional liaison) Greater Lisburn Gateway Team Stewartstown Road Health Centre 212 Stewartstown Road Dunmurry North Down Gateway Team James Street Newtownards, BT23 4EP Tel: 028 91818518 Down Gateway Team Children’s Services 81 Market Street Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ Tel: 028 44613511
Telephone (for referral) 08007837745 Areas Craigavon, Banbridge, Dromore, Lurgan, Portadown, Gilford, Armagh, Coalisland, Dungannon, Fivemiletown, Markethill, Moy, Tandragee, Ballygawley, Newry City, Bessbrook, Annalong, Rathfriland, Warrenpoint, Crossmaglen, Kilkeel, Newtownhamilton Further Contact Details (for professional liaison) Craigavon/Banbridge Gateway Team Brownlow H&SS Centre 1 Legahory Centre Craigavon , BT65 5BE Tel: 028 38343011 Fax: 028 38324366 Newry/Mourne Gateway Team Dromalane House Dromalane Road BT35 8AP Tel: 028 30825000 Option 1 Fax: 028 30825016 Armagh /Dungannon Gateway Team E Floor South Tyrone Hospital Carland Road Dungannon, BT71 4AU Tel: 028 87713506 Fax: 028 87713671 Website Western HSC Trust Telephone (for referral) 028 71314090 Areas Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen