IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFYING NEURODIVERSITY IN CHILD EXPLOITATION

NWG resource

Each child is unique, and neurodiversity acknowledges the varying strengths, challenges, and communication styles of children with neurodevelopmental differences. The NWG Network recognises that creating and sharing child exploitation resources are important for professionals working with neurodiverse children because they support professionals in understanding and responding to the complex risks that children face.

Recent research by Manchester Met University (Internal trafficking and exploitation of children with special educational needs and disability) found that the relationship between SEND and exploitation is inadequately understood, recognised, recorded and monitored between and within agencies and their staff.

NWG has developed a resource which gives practitioners some of the tools and an opportunity to reflect on their practice to consider neurodiversity in safeguarding, which is essential for creating inclusive, informed, and effective strategies that protect and еmpowеr neurodivergent children. Professionals need to be able to identify if a child has the capacity to understand, process and retain information, these skills are vital to be able to develop safety plans and complete accurate assessments of a child’s needs.

The purpose of posing reflective questions within this resource is to support individuals/teams and services to gain an understanding of themselves and their offer to children and families with neurodiverse needs.

The 7-minute briefing is available to NWG Members in our resource section