CE Awareness Week
Strengthening safeguarding through partnership
Child Exploitation (CE) Awareness Week is an annual opportunity for partners across Essex to come together to raise awareness, strengthen prevention and promote safeguarding in the places where children and young people spend time.
The week focuses on helping communities, organisations and professionals to:
- Better understand how exploitation can happen outside the home
- Spot concerns early
- Share information confidently
- Work together to keep young people safe
Our approach in Essex
In Essex, CE Awareness Week activity is delivered through the Risk in the Community (RIC) approach. This recognises that exploitation can occur in everyday places such as sport, leisure and community settings, and that prevention relies on strong partnership working.
During CE Awareness Week, partners work alongside sport clubs, gyms and community providers to:
- Raise safeguarding awareness
- Share practical guidance and resources
- Support confidence in spotting and reporting concerns
- Strengthen safeguarding environments
This activity is supportive and preventative, not enforcement‑led.
Working together to safeguard children
Safeguarding in Essex is guided by the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Safeguarding & Child Protection manual (commonly known as the SET Procedures) and the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children. This guidance is clear that everyone who works with or comes into contact with children has a role to play in keeping them safe.
For sport and community settings, this means:
- Being alert to concerns
- Trusting professional curiosity and instincts
- Sharing information promptly through appropriate routes
Organisations and staff are not expected to investigate concerns or prove harm. Their role is to notice and report so safeguarding partners can respond effectively.
Why partnership matters
No single organisation can prevent exploitation alone. By working together, partners can:
- Identify patterns and risks across communities
- Reduce opportunities for exploitation
- Protect children and young people earlier
- Create safer environments in everyday spaces
Get involved
CE Awareness Week is just one part of ongoing work to protect children and young people across Essex. Sport clubs, gyms and community providers are encouraged to:
- Engage with safeguarding guidance and resources
- Share awareness messages with staff and volunteers
- Take part in awareness activity where possible
- Continue strengthening safeguarding practice year‑round
Together, we can help ensure that sport and community spaces remain safe, positive and protective environments for children and young people.
Key Resources:
Survey for visiting partners: CE Awareness Week: Gym Visit Checklist – Fill in form
Downloadable gym visit checklist
CE Awareness Week 2026: Officer Impact Log – Fill in form
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