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A new scheme in Cleveland will see members of the local community trained to help identify and support children at risk of criminal exploitation.
The Community Guardians programme will give community members, such as leisure centre staff, hairdressers and local business owners, the appropriate tools and training to recognise the exploitation of young people.
The volunteers will play a crucial role in assisting agencies to respond to sexual, criminal and online exploitation by creating safe environments where young people can seek help.
It’s hoped the new programme will not only help to tackle all forms of child exploitation, but will address related issues such as youth violence, radicalisation and being missing from home, care or education.
An awareness campaign will also be developed to encourage the wider public to take more notice of young people in their communities and look more closely at their wellbeing.
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey has invested £70,000 in the first year of the project, although it is hoped it will run for up to four years.
“The sad reality is that the signs of child exploitation are visible in our communities – if people take the time to stop and recognise it.
“Community Guardians may be people working within venues and services used by young people, where they may already share positive and trusted relationships.
“What’s important is that the volunteers will come from a diverse range of backgrounds, locations and industries to give us the greatest opportunity to identify and respond to harm.”
Cleveland PCC Matt Storey.
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, with the support of the Tees HOTH Partnership, is seeking a provider to deliver the Community Guardian programme.
This will include recruiting a diverse group of volunteers in all four Cleveland boroughs, providing them with the necessary training and developing effective networks for them to operate in.
More details about how to apply to deliver the scheme can be found on the Blue Light Portal.
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