Advice needed.

[Abee]

Hi. Need advice. Child was in alternative provision. A county lines gang tried to recruit him. The threats and violence escalated. I called police. They won't take a statement as it would cause more risk. They are aware of the gang and at least 20 other victims. This has been escalated to social services because child has been deemed at significant risk of child exploitation/is a victim. No concerns about safeguarding at home. There is a meeting due to take place with allocated social worker and safeguarding police officer. I've been invited to attend. What can I expect at a strategy meeting? So far we have had no support at all in the 3 weeks since reported.

[Suzie, FRG Adviser]

Dear Abee

Welcome to the parents’ discussion board. Thank you for your post. My name is Suzie and I am Family Rights Group’s online adviser. I am sorry that I was not able to respond to your query sooner.

I am very sorry to hear about your son’s situation. I can understand how worried you are about him as he is at risk of criminal exploitation from gangs.

You had not had any support at the time of your post. You may already know about the Ivison Trust (formerly known as Parents Against Child Exploitation or PACE) but if not, they may be able to offer you advice and support as a very concerned parent. If you complete an online form you will be contacted by a member of their National Parent Support Team. Their website also has lots of very useful information and advice.

When a child is experiencing significant harm beyond their family and home and in the community this does require a multi-agency approach. In some areas this is known as contextual safeguarding. We have information on our website about child criminal exploitation that you may find helpful. In particular, there is specialist practice guidance for practitioners around county lines which you can find here; the flowchart on page 11 shows the referral process.

You have been invited to attend a meeting with your son’s allocated social worker and a safeguarding police officer. This may have already happened as you posted some time ago. However, I will try to provide some advice about what to expect. You can find a brief explanation of what a strategy meeting is here . Parents are not usually invited to strategy meetings convened by children’s services but in the situation you describe where the risk is agreed to be outside the family it is positive that you will be there. You know your child better than any one else but keeping him safe will require a coordinated multi-agency approach. The meeting will allow all those present to share information and decide what needs to happen next and who does what/when. As you will be there you will know the outcome first hand.

If there is to be a child protection conference, which is not always the case, this will take place within 15 working days of the strategy meeting.

I would suggest that you make sure that you have a copy of your local authority’s policy and procedures on child criminal exploitation/county lines; the social worker should be able to provide this to you if you cannot find it online.

I hope this has been helpful.

Please post back on this forum as the situation progresses and if you have any further questions. Or if you prefer to speak to an adviser please call our freephone advice line on 0808 8010366, Mon to Fri, 9.30 am to 3.00 pm. We also have an advice enquiry form and a webchat facility.

Best wishes

Suzie