Special Report: Exploitation and Vulnerability

The exploitation of children and young people by nefarious individuals or groups is not a new phenomenon, but awareness of the issue has grown since the Rotherham child sexual exploitation (CSE) scandal in 2013.

That case revealed the systematic way gangs of men groomed vulnerable young people to sexually abuse them over many years - and how agencies failed to recognise the warning signs.

Rotherham and other high-profile CSE cases since have also highlighted how exploitation and vulnerability often go hand-in-hand. Many of the victims are vulnerable to exploitation by virtue of being in care - the gangs targeted young people living in children's homes - or because they engaged in risky behaviour such as playing truant from school, taking alcohol or drugs and staying out late. Such behaviour itself is often a response to neglect at home, mental ill health or unmet behavioural problems.

The response from policymakers and safeguarding services has been swift and multi-faceted, with new government guidance and legislation focused on improving intelligence gathering and joint working between agencies to prevent exploitation and better support victims.

CYP Now's special report on exploitation and vulnerability looks at latest research on working with young people that have been exploited, summarises key policies, and profiles five examples of projects delivering good practice.