Each year on March 18, organisations across the UK mark National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness of child exploitation and encouraging individuals, professionals and communities to play a role in protecting vulnerable children.

The campaign aims to remind us that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility, and that recognising the signs of exploitation can make a crucial difference in protecting young people. As solicitors and professionals working in child care law, the day provides an important opportunity to reflect on the role that safeguarding plays in protecting children from harm.

Understanding child exploitation

Child exploitation is a serious form of abuse where children are manipulated, coerced or deceived for the benefit of others. It can take many forms, including:

• Child sexual exploitation
• Child criminal exploitation
• Online exploitation and grooming
• Trafficking and modern slavery

Children who are exploited are often targeted because they are vulnerable. Children’s risk can sometimes increase due to family difficulties, social isolation, poverty, abuse or lack of support networks around them.

However, exploitation can affect any child, and it can occur in any community.

The importance of safeguarding

Safeguarding is a crucial part of protecting children from exploitation. In many cases, warning signs of exploitation may be subtle or easily overlooked as it develops gradually through grooming and manipulation.

It’s vital that those working with or protecting children understand effective safeguarding, including:

• Recognising potential warning signs
• Listening to children and taking concerns seriously
• Sharing information between agencies
• Acting early to protect children from harm

The role of legal professionals in safeguarding

As solicitors working in child care law, we frequently encounter cases where safeguarding concerns are central. In care proceedings, courts must consider whether a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering significant harm. As legal professionals, we contribute to safeguarding in a number of different ways, such as:

• Ensuring children’s welfare remains the court’s paramount consideration
• Supporting children and families through legal processes
• Ensuring safeguarding concerns are properly raised and addressed
• Working alongside social workers, guardians and other professionals to protect vulnerable children

Legal proceedings are often only one part of the wider safeguarding framework, but they can be crucial in ensuring that appropriate protective measures are put in place.

Recognising the signs

Raising awareness of child exploitation helps communities develop better understanding and identify potential safeguarding concerns. It’s important to recognise the warning signs which children may show, which may include:

• Sudden changes in behaviour or friendships
• Unexplained gifts, money or possessions
• Increased secrecy or online activity
• Missing episodes or disengagement from school
• Signs of fear, anxiety or control by others

By increasing awareness and recognising these signs early, we can intervene before harm escalates.

A shared responsibility

Protecting children is of paramount importance. Safeguarding is not the responsibility of one individual or organisation. It requires a coordinated response from professionals, families and communities.

Days such as National Child Exploitation Day remind us of the importance of remaining vigilant, raising awareness and minimising the risk to children, whilst ensuring that those who are vulnerable are protected and supported.