CUMBRIA'S review into child exploitation in the county has brought about changes to the community and safety for children.

The Child Exploitation Risk Assessment and Review (CERAR) process for Cumbria was launched in September 1 of this year.

The new Child Exploitation procedure including the pathways, vulnerability checklist and copy of the new revised assessment tool can be accessed on the multi-agency procedures manual here.

The CERAR process was focused on reducing inconsistencies in Child Exploitation practice through a uniformed approach to chairing and coordinating risk assessments and safety planning, ultimately improving our service response to children and young people including those who are becoming young adults, creating safety and reducing risk.

Since then a CERAR manager and coordinator have been appointed, who will be involved in screening all Child Exploitation contacts that go into the Safeguarding Hub.

They will also chair all initial Child Exploitation risk assessment meetings.

The CERAR manager is also available to offer professional advice to colleagues across the partnership with regards to Child Exploitation.

The CERAR coordinator will ensure the effective and efficient running of the CERAR process.

As part of the implementation of the CERAR process:

  • The Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation policy and procedures have been updated and combined into one Child Exploitation procedure
  • The Child Exploitation pathways have been revised
  • The screening tool has been updated to the Child Exploitation vulnerability checklist
  • The risk assessment tool and associated categories of risk have been refreshed
  • A new vulnerability tracker is being implemented