Understanding Criminal Exploitation, County Lines & Gangs

Understand criminal exploitation, county lines and gangs, and learn how to recognise risks and safeguard young people. Understanding Criminal Exploitation, County Lines & Gangs: Protecting Our Young People Practical training to help professionals recognise, understand and respond to criminal exploitation. bMindful Psychology is pleased to welcome Gifford Sutherland from UpskillU to deliver this specialist training exploring Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), county lines and gangs. Criminal exploitation can have a devastating impact on young people. Understanding how they are targeted, groomed and controlled is essential to recognising vulnerability and providing the right support. What will the training cover? Participants will learn how to: • Understand the differences between gangs, peer groups, organised crime groups and county lines networks. • Recognise how young people are recruited, groomed and exploited, both online and offline. • Identify signs of exploitation, including cuckooing, missing episodes, coercion and debt bondage. • Understand the additional vulnerabilities faced by girls, young adults, children with SEND and those with care experience. • Recognise when exploitation may involve human trafficking or modern slavery. • Respond appropriately through safeguarding, information sharing, referrals and partnership working. • Apply trauma-informed and restorative approaches that build trust and avoid re-victimising or criminalising young people. Who should attend? This training is suitable for professionals working with children and young people across education, social care, residential care, youth work, safeguarding and support services. Why attend? Develop the knowledge and confidence to recognise criminal exploitation, understand the risks facing young people and respond effectively to protect their safety and wellbeing. Delivered by Gifford Sutherland from UpskillU, in partnership with bMindful Psychology. At bMindful, we believe in keeping young people at the centre of everything we do, working with compassion, authenticity, integrity and resilience to nurture minds and empower futures.