Extract from Glasgow CPC Inter Agency Guidance for Child Trafficking
There are no validated risk assessment tools that can predict the risk of trafficking or definitively identify those who have been trafficked. The following are a list of indicators that might suggest a child has been the victim of trafficking or is at future risk. The indicators are adopted from the National Referral Mechanism indicator matrix and while the presence of any of these factors does not provide definitive evidence, the presence of indicators in the high and concerns sections should raise specific suspicions about the possibility of trafficking, in addition to child protection concerns.
The indicators may apply to both UK nationals and / or migrant children and to both boys and girls and should be kept in mind when working with children when making an initial assessment. They are not questions to be directly asking children at the initial stage of enquiry.
The indicators do not replace child protection investigations and the presence, or otherwise, of trafficking suspicions should not preclude the standard child protection procedure being implemented.
HIGH CONCERNS
- Is located or recovered from a place of exploitation and / or involved in criminality that highlights the involvement of adults e.g. is recovered from cannabis farm / factory, brothel, street crime, petty theft, pick pocketing, begging
- Claims to be in debt bondage or “owes” money to other persons / has to pay off large debts
- Has entered the country illegally
- Has no passport or other means of identification
- Has false documentation or genuine documentation that has been altered or fraudulently obtained; or the child claims that their details (name, DOB) on the documentation are incorrect.
- Is unable to confirm the name and address of the person meeting them on arrival
- Has had their journey or visa arranged by someone other than themselves or their family
- Is unable, or reluctant to give details of accommodation or other personal details
- Reports from reliable sources suggesting the likelihood of involvement in sexual exploitation
- One among a number of unrelated children found at one address
- Person in control of / with the child has applied for or acted as guarantor for visas on behalf of others
- Person interpreting for the child at interviews and meetings was previously known to them (i.e. not appointed or approved by authorities)
CONCERNS
- On arrival in the country or when attending meetings / interviews is accompanied by an adult who may not be legal guardian and who insists on remaining with the child at all times
- Has a prepared story very similar to those that other children have given perhaps hinting they have been coached
- Leaving home / care setting in clothing unusual for the individual child (inappropriate for age, borrowing clothing from older people)
- Returning after having been missing, looking well cared for despite having no known base
- In a private fostering arrangement which has not been registered or being cared for by adult(s) who are not their parents (except those in social work care)
- Is permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings by another person / no control over earnings
- Goes out the same hours every day (unless legitimate, verified work)
- Works in various locations
- Has limited freedom of movement
- Is excessively afraid of being deported
- Indicators of working (tired in school; condition of hands etc)
- Does excessive housework around the house
- Appropriate adult can’t provide photo ID
- Involved in underage marriage
GENERAL CONCERNS
- Significantly older boyfriend / girlfriend
- Placement breakdown
- Has gone missing from local authority care
- Is registered at a number of different addresses
- Is malnourished
- Is withdrawn and refuses to talk or appears afraid to talk to a person in authority
- Exhibits self-assurance, maturity and self-confidence not expected to be seen in a child of such age
- Does not appear to have money but does have a mobile phone
- Has not been registered with or attended a GP practice
- Has not been enrolled in school
- Truancy / disengagement with education
- Receives unexplained / unidentified phone calls whilst in placement / temporary accommodation
- Shows physical or emotional signs of physical or sexual abuse
- Has a history of missing links and unexplained moves
- Evidence of a sexually transmitted infection or unwanted pregnancy
- Known to be sexually active
- Evidence of drug, alcohol or substance misuse
- Adults loitering outside the child’s usual place of residence
- Accounts of social activities with no plausible explanation of the source of necessary funding
- Pattern of street homelessness
- Acquisition of money, expensive clothes, mobile phones or other possessions without plausible explanation
- Low self-image, self-harming behaviour including cutting, overdosing, eating disorder, promiscuity
- Entering or leaving vehicles driven by unknown adults
- Possible inappropriate use of the internet and forming on-line relationships, particularly with adults
- Known to beg for money