Days:                          Monday to Sunday:

Flexible Start Times:  08:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Last entry:                  10 minutes after the course   

                                    start time


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Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) Training – 1-Day In-Person Course

Overview: The Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) Training is a one-day, in-person course designed to equip staff in children’s residential homes with the critical knowledge and practical skills to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to child criminal exploitation. CCE training is essential, as children in care are often vulnerable to exploitation by criminal networks, including involvement in gang activities, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities. This course ensures staff understand the signs of CCE, the risks involved, and how to intervene effectively to protect the children in their care.

Key Course Objectives:

1. Understanding Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE):

   • Define CCE and understand its impact on vulnerable children, especially those in care.

   • Explore the tactics and manipulation methods that criminal networks use to coerce children into criminal activities.

   • Understand why children in care are at higher risk of CCE, due to factors like past trauma, lack of family support, and low self-esteem.

2. Recognizing Signs and Indicators of CCE:

   • Learn to identify behavioral, physical, and social indicators that a child might be involved in criminal activities or at risk of exploitation.

   • Recognize common signs of CCE, such as unexplained wealth, new mobile phones, secrecy about relationships, frequent missing episodes, and sudden changes in behavior.

   • Understand how to differentiate between typical adolescent behavior and potential indicators of exploitation.

3. Building Trust and Safe Relationships with At-Risk Youth:

   • Develop skills for building trusting, supportive relationships with children, encouraging open communication and fostering a safe environment.

   • Understand how to engage children who may be guarded, fearful, or unwilling to disclose information due to threats or intimidation from criminal groups.

   • Build rapport by being non-judgmental, demonstrating empathy, and reassuring children of their safety.

4. Prevention Strategies and Risk Management:

   • Learn proactive strategies to protect children from CCE, including creating structured routines, providing mentorship, and fostering self-worth and resilience.

   • Implement risk assessment techniques to evaluate a child's susceptibility to exploitation and create individual risk management plans.

   • Empower children with knowledge about CCE risks, helping them recognize manipulation and build resilience against coercive tactics.

5. Intervening in CCE Situations Safely:

   • Understand the steps to take if a child is suspected to be involved in criminal exploitation, including appropriate de-escalation and intervention methods.

   • Learn safe and effective intervention techniques to prevent a child’s further involvement in criminal activities without compromising their safety.

   • Emphasize the importance of involving external agencies, including law enforcement and local safeguarding teams, to address immediate threats.

6. Understanding the Role of Multi-Agency Collaboration:

   • Learn the importance of working with external agencies, such as social services, law enforcement, and community organizations, to provide a holistic response to CCE.

   • Understand when to escalate a case and how to work effectively with other professionals to create a support network for exploited children.

   • Review referral procedures, reporting protocols, and the documentation required for effective collaboration with external agencies.

7. Safeguarding and Reporting Protocols:

   • Familiarize with the legal responsibilities and safeguarding protocols surrounding CCE cases to ensure compliance with child protection regulations.

   • Understand the importance of thorough documentation and accurate reporting when dealing with suspected or confirmed CCE cases.

   • Review confidentiality guidelines to protect the child’s identity and safety while working within the bounds of legal and ethical responsibilities.

Practical Applications and Scenarios:

• Good Practice Example: A staff member notices a child’s sudden secretive behavior and reluctance to discuss a new “friend” or relationship. The staff, trained in CCE, recognizes these as potential indicators and takes steps to build trust with the child, enabling them to disclose the exploitative relationship safely. They document the situation and make a timely referral to the local safeguarding team.

• Bad Practice Example: Without CCE training, a staff member dismisses signs like unexplained cash, new gadgets, and frequent absences as typical teenage behavior. The lack of intervention allows the child to become more entangled in criminal activities, emphasizing the need for trained staff who understand the signs and risks of CCE.

Importance of CCE Training in Children’s Residential Homes:

• Enhanced Child Safety and Protection: CCE training helps protect children by equipping staff with the skills to identify exploitation early and intervene before the child becomes deeply involved in criminal networks.

• Empowered and Confident Staff: Staff members gain confidence in addressing complex situations involving exploitation, knowing they can take effective steps to protect children without jeopardizing their safety.

• Reducing the Long-Term Impact of Exploitation: Early intervention through CCE training can prevent children from experiencing trauma associated with criminal exploitation, which often has lasting effects on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

• Compliance with Legal and Ethical Standards: Training ensures compliance with safeguarding laws, regulations, and best practices, meeting the duty of care for children in residential homes and supporting their right to a safe, nurturing environment.

Course Outline for CCE Training:

1. Introduction to CCE and Vulnerabilities of Children in Care:

   • Define CCE and discuss risk factors specific to children in care.

   • Overview of criminal networks and their tactics in exploiting vulnerable children.

2. Identifying Early Warning Signs:

   • Discuss behavioral, social, and physical indicators of exploitation.

   • Case studies and scenarios to enhance recognition of CCE patterns.

3. Strategies for Building Trust with Vulnerable Children:

   • Techniques to create a safe environment for disclosure.

   • Non-verbal communication skills and empathy-driven approaches.

4. Prevention and Risk Management Techniques:

   • Implementing risk assessment methods to create personalized prevention plans.

   • Techniques for fostering resilience, self-worth, and safe relationships.

5. Responding to CCE Situations:

   • Safe intervention methods to de-escalate high-risk situations.

   • Guidelines for involving safeguarding professionals and law enforcement.

6. Multi-Agency Collaboration and Reporting Protocols:

   • Referral processes and working with local agencies.

   • Documentation and confidentiality best practices.

Long-Term Benefits of CCE Training:

• Early Intervention: Staff trained in CCE are able to detect and address signs of exploitation at early stages, reducing the long-term impact of criminal exploitation on children’s lives.

• Safer Home Environment: CCE training creates a vigilant, informed care environment, reducing the risk of exploitation and making children feel protected and understood.

• Positive Behavioral Change in Children: By addressing the root causes of vulnerability, staff can support children in developing safer behaviors and connections, reducing the likelihood of exploitation.

By investing in CCE Training, you’re committing to the safety and protection of children in your care, equipping your team with essential skills to combat child criminal exploitation effectively. This training is a key component of a comprehensive safeguarding strategy, providing a secure, supportive environment for vulnerable children to grow and thrive.