Like many other mainly rural areas in the UK, child criminal exploitation in South West England has been on the rise. Children and young people are being coerced into drug trafficking and knife crime, and this is often linked to organised criminal networks such as county lines. Children and young people are vulnerable to exploitation for a complex mix of underlying factors including social and economic disadvantages, lack of support systems and peer pressure.
Rural and suburban areas may not have the resources and access to specialist support services in cities, making it easier for criminal gangs to exploit vulnerable individuals. Additionally, children in towns or rural locations may experience greater isolation and a lack of opportunities, making them more susceptible to manipulation by criminal networks. These factors make it difficult to provide comprehensive support and effective intervention, highlighting the need for tailored strategies in smaller communities.
In South West England, St Giles runs intensive specialist mentoring projects to help support young people up to the age of 25 who are at risk of exploitation or already being exploited.
The Somerset Exploitation Project, in partnership with Somerset Council, and Cheltenham Exploitation Project, in partnership with Cheltenham Council, have both had positive impacts on the young people they support.
It is incredible to see the profound impact this project is having on young people in Cheltenham. The work being done through providing consistent, empathetic support and creating genuine connections, means young individuals are now receiving more chances to rewrite their futures. It’s a true testament to the power of community, collaboration, and unwavering dedication. Every success story we see is a reminder that when we invest in our youth, we empower them to become the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
– Tracy Brown, Safeguarding and Partnerships Manager at Cheltenham Borough Council
The projects are already transforming lives. Caseworkers bring invaluable lived experience of the challenges faced by the young people they support. Having navigated similar struggles themselves, they deeply understand these situations and serve as relatable role models, guiding young people toward a brighter future.
Having a colourful past myself, I can empathise with the places and people that the young people I support have encountered. My lived experience helps me to understand and discuss their journey and so, more barriers come down. While each young person is unique, many shares common traits: they are scared, vulnerable, and often put on a facade to deflect positive energy. Persistence and consistently showing up for those I support help build a stronger working relationship. With an empathetic approach, one of the first things I ask is, ‘What do you want?’
– Mark – Embedded CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker
One powerful example is the Cheltenham Exploitation Project, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, marking a year of life-changing outcomes for vulnerable young people. An example of the Project’s remarkable impact is its work with a 13-year-old boy, whose life underwent a dramatic transformation. After being involved in criminal activity and repeatedly arrested, the young person faced significant challenges, including poor school attendance and frequent suspensions from his Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). His caseworker, Zachary, provided personalised, consistent support by identifying and addressing barriers to attendance, fostering trust through daily contact, and building a strong relationship with his family.
Through multi-agency collaboration, tailored interventions were put in place to meet the boy’s needs. A key strategy involved gym sessions before school, which helped him establish a positive routine. Within just six weeks, he ceased his involvement with the police, recognised the impact of his actions, and began attending school regularly. This remarkable turnaround showcases the profound impact of holistic, empathetic support.
The Cheltenham Exploitation Project has been extremely beneficial to the young people I am working with. Providing them with someone who has the capacity to see them numerous times a week to help inform their choices and someone they can relate to in terms of personal experiences. We have seen an increase from 40% school attendance to 100% and this is through providing them the chance to do the right things and giving them the power to control their future.
– Zachary – Embedded CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker (Cheltenham)
Through the dedicated efforts of caseworkers like Mark and Zachary, young lives are being transformed in South West England. The Cheltenham Exploitation Project and Somerset Exploitation Projects stand as a testament to the power of empathy and tailored support in combating exploitation and empowering the next generation.