Safeguarding

Acklam Grange

Acorn Centre

Acklam Grange School

Exploitation/Grooming

Grooming/Exploitation are forms of abuse where the offender deliberately builds a relationship, with a young person to gain their trust and a position of power where they can manipulate, control or take advantage of them.

At Acklam Grange we take a proactive approach to ensure the safety of our young people however if you believe there is a young person at risk of exploitation or grooming, please contact a member of our safeguarding team.

Grooming/Exploitation can take happen anywhere such as:

  • Online
  • In Organisations
  • In Public Spaces (Known as street grooming).

There are also different types of Grooming/Exploitation:

  • Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): when the offender manipulates or pressures the young person into sexual activity
  • Criminal Exploitation: when a young person is pressured or forced into criminal activity
  • Online Exploitation: when the offender uses the internet or social media to manipulate or exploit a young person

Recognising the Signs

Everyone around a young person should be aware and able to recognise signs that a young person may be being groomed/exploited. Having one these signs does not mean grooming/exploitation is happening however it is important not for these signs to be mistaken for ‘typical’ teenage behaviour.

Some signs that a young person is at risk include:

  • Sudden changes in behaviour or mood
  • Becoming secretive about online activity
  • Receiving gifts, money or items from unknown people
  • Spending time with older individuals or unknown people
  • Withdrawing from family, friends or school activities
  • Misusing alcohol/drugs
  • Using sexual language, you wouldn’t expect them to know
  • Developing sexual health problems

What makes young people more vulnerable?

Grooming/Exploitation can affect any young person despite their age, race, gender or socio-economic background. However, young people who may be particularly vulnerable include:

  • Young people exploring their sexuality or identity online
  • Young people with special educational needs and learning difficulties (SEND)
  • Young people with mental health problems. (Depression, Anxiety, Low-Self Esteem as they may seek validation from others)

How to keep young people safe

Adults around young people should:

  • Empower them to recognise and speak out about abuse by teaching them about exploitation and grooming and how they can recognise/report it
  • Teach them not to share personal information online
  • Teach them not to meet people they only know from the internet

Useful Support:

If you need advice or support, you can contact:

  • NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000
  • Childline: 0800 1111
  • CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command): report concerns online.
  • Child Exploitation Disruption toolkit
  • The Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Children’s Hub: 01429 284284 (out of office hours- 01642 524552)

Middlesbrough Multi-Agency Children’s Hub (MACH): 01642 726004 or the Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours) on 01642 524552.