Complex Safeguarding is a term used to describe criminal activity (often organised) or behaviour associated with criminality, involving children and adults, where there is exploitation and/or a clear or implied safeguarding concern.
This might include individuals planning, coordinating and committing serious offences:
- individually
- in groups and/or
- as part of transnational networks
that involve activities such as:
- Sexual exploitation and abuse
- Illegal drugs use
- Illegal firearms
- Modern slavery and human trafficking
- Radicalisation and serious youth violence, including knife crime, are also strongly linked to organised crime and criminality.
Geographical borders are increasingly eroded, with individuals and networks operating across regions, countries and in cyberspace.
Much of this activity remains hidden or under reported, the true scale and complexity is likely to be greater than we currently know.
Evidence and intelligence are continually emerging from a local, national and international context.
Contextual Safeguarding
Contextual Safeguarding is an approach to understanding, and responding to harm that exists outside of the family home.
This approach recognises the different relationships adolescents and young adults have in their place of education, peer groups, online and in their community.
This concept is predominately referred to when safeguarding children however it is recognised as an important concept when thinking about children and young people who are transitioning into adult social care.
Report a concern
If there is an immediate threat, you have any concerns about these issues or know someone who is being exploited in this way please contact Greater Manchester Police on 999.
Advice and support