Serious Youth Violence & Child Criminal Exploitation (2-Day Course)

✨ Featuring live case studies, lived experience speakers & interactive Q&A sessions – watch this space!

This two-part contextual safeguarding course explores the complex world of serious youth violence, knife crime, gangs, and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), including county lines.

The course enables professionals to develop a psychologically informed, trauma-aware approach to working with young people affected by violence and exploitation.

Throughout the training, participants will be encouraged and supported to reflect on their own practice, strengthening their ability to effectively respond to and support young people who are at risk or already affected.

A standout feature of this course is the inclusion of live case studies, delivered by trained speakers with lived experience, including:

• Former gang members
• Individuals involved in knife crime
• Survivors of county lines exploitation

These sessions are delivered through interactive Q&A discussions, providing first-hand, invaluable insight into the realities behind these issues.

A particularly powerful element includes a restorative conversation between two former gang leaders, now working together as credible messengers and mentors, offering an authentic perspective on:

• Accountability
• Change and desistance
• Reconciliation and transformation

• Understanding vulnerability, risk, and contextual safeguarding
• Introduction to trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
• Key definitions: knife crime and serious youth violence in the UK
• Latest national and local trends
• Why young people carry knives
• Government response, legislation, and police powers (incl. stop & search)
• Understanding group offending, street gangs & organised crime networks
• Joint Enterprise explained
• The current UK gang landscape
• Why young people join gangs
• Gang roles and structures
• The role of girls and young women
• Influence of social media and drill music
• 🔴 LIVE CASE STUDY – Knife Crime / Serious Youth Violence (Q&A)

• The evolution of county lines and drug distribution networks
• The county lines model
• Grooming and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
• Modern Slavery Act and current legislation
• Recognising indicators of exploitation
• Language and discourse associated with gangs and exploitation
• Safeguarding in the digital world (social media, gaming, online risks)
• 🔴 LIVE CASE STUDY – County Lines (Q&A)

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Develop a strong understanding of:
2. • Serious youth violence, knife crime, gangs, and county lines
   • Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) and links to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
3. Recognise key indicators that a young person may be at risk of or experiencing exploitation
4. Apply a trauma-informed and psychologically aware approach to working with young people
5. Identify early intervention opportunities and critical “teachable moments”
6. Understand how their own practice can effectively support young people at risk
7. Access and utilise local support services and resources
8. Confidently intervene, safeguard, and refer to appropriate specialist services

Why Attend?

This course goes beyond theory combining real-world insight, practical tools, and powerful lived experiences to equip professionals with the confidence and knowledge to make a meaningful impact.

🎓 CPD Accredited

Enhance your professional development while gaining essential skills to support and protect young people.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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