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How does the voice of young people and their parents/carers influence and impact on their experience of multi-agency responses to child exploitation and extra-familial harm?

Introduction

This project is funded by the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) Integrated Care System Research and Innovation Hub. It forms part of the third pillar of activity in the Hub: safeguarding children and adults with complex needs.

The focus of the project is to explore three of the eight for multi-agency responses to child exploitation and extra-familial harm developed by the Tackling Child Exploitation (TCE) Support Programme[1] across Bedfordshire.

These are:

• Putting children and young people first
• Respecting the voice, experience and expertise of children and young people
• Approaching parents and carers as partners, wherever possible

The Principles are evidence-informed, non-statutory guidance, endorsed cross government, with the aim of improving multi-agency responses to child exploitation[2] and extra-familial harm.

We expect the other five principles (see below) to be reflected already in the ways of working across multi-agency partners and will be monitored throughout the research activities.

• Recognising and challenging inequalities, exclusion and discrimination
• Being strengths-based and relationship-based
• Recognising and responding to trauma
• Being curious, evidence-informed and knowledgeable
• Creating safer spaces and places for children and young people.

Background

The importance of listening and responding to children and young people is now widely recognised. It is a central part of how professionals approach and work with children and young people across all services.

Initial scoping for this project consisted of a literature review and a series of scoping conversations about the voice of the child when there is a risk or experience of child exploitation and extra-familial harm. This identified some important findings. There is an extensive literature on the importance of listening and responding to children and young people and how to do it well. Practitioners confirmed that this happened through all of their work. It was also clear in the evidence base that plans were reviewed regularly – but less clear on how this tracked through into any changes. Professionals also confirmed that reviews were a standard part of practice, but how the feedback loop was implemented seemed to be harder to demonstrate.

In terms of what difference it made to children, young people and their parents/carers to have their voice heard and responded to, there appears to be a complete gap. No academic literature was identified and professionals said this was not something they do.

Research aims

This project sets out to explore the impact on young people and parents/carers of having their voice heard and responded to in multi-agency responses to child exploitation and extra-familial harm.

There are three aims:

1. Identify how young people’s, parents and carers’ voices are heard throughout their engagement with services
2. Explore how voice is considered during the review process: feedback loops and resulting changes
3. Consider the impact of having voice heard on young people, parents and carers.

Research activities

In order to fulfil the project aims, there will be five key research areas:

• Mapping multi-agency service provision for responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm
• Observing multi-agency meetings
• Reviewing case files of young people across two services
• Interviews with multi agency partners
• Interviews with young people, parents and carers

It is an ambitious project, which reflects the complexity of the multi-agency system and challenge of responding to child exploitation and extra-familial harm. The aim is to triangulate findings across the different parts of the system to provide understanding and reflection on possible ways forward.

The first of its kind as far as we know, this project will provide a unique insight and evidence into the impact on young people at risk of or experiencing exploitation or extra-familial harm when their voices are heard and responded to during their engagement with services.

We anticipate a high demand from other areas wanting to learn from this research and an opportunity for BLMK ICS to act as a learning partner for other areas.

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[1] The TCE Support Programme was delivered by Research in Practice, The ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ and The Children’s Society. Alice Yeo was Head of Evidence for the Programme.

[2] Child exploitation is characterised by coercion, control and grooming, when someone uses a child for financial gain, carrying out criminal activities, sexual gratification, labour or personal advantage. It can happen both on and off line.

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