Targeted Youth Support and the Child Exploitation service are aware that there are a lot of isolated young people out there who need some support at the moment. Warwickshire partners have been on a steep learning curve with online working. They have been learning lots about online work, experimenting with online youth clubs and seeing what works for young people.

Warwickshire County Council, Child Exploitation & Missing Children Service are pleased to now be able to offer online courses. It is not great for some young people but it has been really surprising that just in the last week, how well the online support has been received.  Warwickshire partners are able to make referrals for two options:

1.121 online support.

2.Online Group Work (offering two modules.)

Managing Feelings –Learning skills on how to manage anger and exploring reasons behind behaviours.

Digital Tattoo –Exploring issues around social media and CSE. This course would be useful for young people who may be struggling to manage their social media presence and need support in setting themselves some safer boundaries

There will be no more than 4 in the group and  group support is set in up in a way that ensures the safety of all young people involved. Wherever possible the groups will be structured according to the ages and genders of the young people and the young people will be contacted individually beforehand to explain the process.

An important aspect of the support work is that referrers check with the young person first that they are happy to engage in online support. For the 121 work there will be the option of a text or phone call initially to build up the relationship. It is recognised it will be hard for young people to open up to people they have never met.

The 121 support referral form for both offers is being used and this is accessed for Warwickshire children on the Warwickshire youth service website;  https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youthservice

Warwickshire County Council, Child Exploitation & Missing Children Service are also highlighting CEOP resources. CEOP have provided advice and resources for parents and carers to keep young people safe online while out of school and staying home.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/support-tools/support-your-child-at-home

Warwickshire Youth Justice and Exploitation Team have also collated some useful work tools to promote online safety planning during the social restriction period.

Family agreement – useful to share with families or adapt for online safety planning

https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Family-Agreement.pdf

Online safety agreement

https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Online-safety-agreement.pdf

Supporting people online

https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Supporting-Young-People-Online.pdf

Warwickshire Youth Justice and Exploitation Team are also collating virtual resources for use with young people. One resource they have identified is a resource for drugs and exploitation.

“Child Drugs Exploitation A toolbox for building resilience”.  There is good use of videos on YouTube footage that demonstrates how people can become involved. It could be used with somebody who is suspected to be at risk of being exploited or for prevention work.

Targeted Youth have also developed a virtual youth club for their young people, which is an innovative idea.
Warwickshire Exploitation Team have held a session with professionals focussing on direct work in relation to online safety. This was identified as important to focus on during the lockdown period, as social media will likely be the preferred use of contact with friends etc.

The session covered;

• Benefits of using social media and popular social media platforms
• Consent for photo sharing
• Security
• Impact/ risks
• Legal implications
• Parental support/ awareness – using the below PACE link

https://paceuk.info/for-parents/advice-centre/understanding-online-risks/