A total of 14 children and young people in North Tyneside had been identified as in danger of exploitation over a seven month period between October 2021 and April 2022.
The individuals, aged between 13 and 19, were flagged to North Tyneside Council as being in danger of sexual, financial and criminal exploitation as well as radicalisation and trafficking. Young people frequently going missing were also recorded.
Of these reported 14 cases, seven have now been closed with steps taken to reduce the risks the children were previously exposed to. Steps taken include; a reduction in the child going missing, improved family networks, a reduction in criminal behaviour, and a reduction in substance misuse, among others.
Councillor Steven Phillips, cabinet member for children, young people and learning at North Tyneside Council, said: “We work extremely hard to ensure that our borough is a safe place where children and young people are safe, secure, and protected and we have dedicated services in place to support young people who may be at risk of exploitation.
“We have a proactive, multi-agency approach in place where key organisations in North Tyneside and the region come together to look at the needs of those at risk of exploitation and ensure they’re supported and that their needs are addressed.
“The Future Steps team are working with 14 young people who’ve been identified as most at risk of exploitation, but we aren’t complacent, and we know that exploitation poses a risk to other young people in our borough. Our fantastic Youth Justice Service and Future Steps teams also work tirelessly with our residents and partners to improve outcomes for those young people, an approach that was recently praised by Ofsted.
“Ensuring children have the best possible outcomes remains one of our top priorities and we’ll continue to work with our partners and teams to make this possible".
Despite successful interventions, a council report did also highlight areas of concern with the Future Steps Team.
Feedback was difficult to obtain from young people due to the "chaotic nature" of the families receiving Future Steps support. In addition, housing vulnerable children and young people in suitable accommodation has proved challenging, sometimes requiring "external providers". The report claims this can lead to a degree of inconsistency of support.
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