Swindon LSCB - News

Forum - Children and Young People Exploited Through Prostitution

The Forum was originally set up in 1995 to support practitioners who were working with children who were being abused or at risk of being abused through child exploitation. In 1999, it received a more formal mandate from the ACPC and became a sub-group of the committee. The Forum is not a 'subgroup or working group' of the LSCB, as it's role is to be a unique practitioners group. The Chair of the Forum reports to the LSCB Management Group in January and July each year.

The aim of the Forum is to prevent children from being abused through child sexual exploitation. The Forum meets four times a year.

Forum functions

• To raise awareness of the issues and contribute to this through training and education (Delivered by the LSCB Training subgroup).
• To network, provide support and share information and research findings.
• To inform the development of strategies to protect children and young people from sexual exploitation.
• To monitor, evaluate and review local strategies identifying good practice and inform the LSCB and other relevant bodies appropriately.
• To promote and inform the development of prevention, harm reduction and support services, including exit strategies for young people.

Representation/Membership

The Forum is open to representatives of statutory and voluntary agencies who wish to contribute to the Forum's aim of raising awareness to prevent children from being abused through exploitation. Core membership is sought from the following, but will not be necessarily always include them at all times;

• Children's Services
• PCT
• CAMHS
• Health
• Police
• Housing
• Community Safety Partnership
• Voluntary Sector

The next Forum meeting is on the 5th of October at the Civic Offices from 1.30 -3.00pm. If you would like a copy of the last minutes or to find out more, please contact Kevin Leaning (01793 823153) or Carla Da Silva (01793 836683)

August 2007