Major study to explore new ways to prevent child exploitation

The Innovate Project, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and led by the University of Sussex, will explore the work of six organisations each using one of three different frameworks for safeguarding and trauma-informed practice.

• Analysis: Call for PCCs to end child criminalisation

• Analysis: Call for more youth workers to tackle emerging gangs threat

Over two years, researchers will observe meetings and practices, interview young people, parents and professionals, and examine organisational processes, systems, costs and outcomes to establish how effective frameworks are as well as note which factors lead to more innovative social care practice.

A third year of the study will see researchers engage stakeholders in turning findings into policy recommendations and guidelines for good practice.

The three frameworks include:

• Contextual safeguarding, as adopted by Devon Children’s Services and Partners and the charity Safer London

• Trauma-informed practice at Brighter Futures for Children in Reading and North Lanarkshire Education and Families Service

• Transitional safeguarding with the Safeguarding Adults Board for Hackney and Sheffield Children and Families Services

Professor Michelle Lefevre, professor of social work in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex, said: “We are delighted to have the involvement of these six sites, who are at the vanguard of developing new ways of supporting young people, families and communities.

“We are confident that the learning from this project will inform innovation practice, improve the design and delivery of services, and enhance intervention experiences and outcomes for vulnerable young people and their families.”