Parents and carers are 'vital allies' in battle against county lines drug gangs
The Children's Society's new national Disrupting Exploitation service has launched in Birmingham
Last updated 8th Feb 2021
A charity leading the way in supporting children subjected to horrific county lines exploitation is offering new help to the parents and carers of victims in Birmingham.
The Children’s Society’s national Disrupting Exploitation service, which runs in Birmingham, London and Greater Manchester, is employing new parent workers to support parents and carers whose children are being exploited or thought to be at risk of criminal exploitation. The service is part-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of Community Activity in the UK, as well as by a grant from a generous philanthropist.
Latest figures show the number of children in the West Midlands being referred to social services because of gang exploitation, doubled between 2018 and 2020
Meanwhile, the charity's found nearly half of UK parents with children between 10 and 16 don't understand what 'county lines' drug gangs are.
The Children's Society says that with better education and support, parents and carers can be vital allies in helping children exit situations in which they are criminally exploited, including through county lines.
Latest figures for referrals of children to social care in the West Midlands indicate a rise in cases which may indicate that children are being criminally exploited.
They show the number in which ‘gangs’ were identified as a factor at the end of assessments more than doubled from 800 in 2017/18 to 1,650 in 2019/20.
There was also a 28% increase in trafficking being identified as a factor, from 360 to 460, and a 15% rise in cases in which children going missing was flagged, from 1,730 to 1,990.
The Children’s Society’s practitioners say changes in young people’s behaviour as a result of them being exploited take a huge toll on parents and carers, making it harder for them to support their children alongside any vital help being offered by professionals.
The new parent workers will help parents and carers to understand exploitation, including county lines, spot the warning signs, and improve communication with their children. Sessions can take place in person, online or by phone depending on the wishes of the parent or carer and Covid restrictions. There will also be peer support groups.
Becky Fedia, National Programme Manager at The Children’s Society’s Disrupting Exploitation Programme, said: “Support from a parent or carer can be an important step in a child safely exiting an exploitative situation through which they have been groomed then left terrified and traumatised by threats, violence and abuse.
“Changes in children’s behaviour like going missing, using drugs or becoming angry and secretive can put a huge strain on family relationships. Finding out that exploitation is to blame for this will seem daunting and scary for parents, causing worry, stress and feelings of helplessness.
“We know that parents and carers can be crucial allies both in helping children and in providing insight and information that can help disrupt perpetrators of exploitation. But, too often, they do not get support and are overlooked by statutory agencies."
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