The Centre for Child Protection (CCP) at the University has launched two new training simulations for professionals working in child protection.
The online simulations, known as Looking out for Lottie and Visiting Elliot, will help child protection professionals identify risk factors in the sexual abuse of vulnerable children and young people.
Looking out for Lottie uses social media to follow the story of schoolgirl Lottie and how she becomes involved with Jake, a seemingly plausible young man, who grooms her for sexual exploitation. By following the simulation, professionals are able to gain insight into the process, the behaviour of the groomer and the implications for the victim.
This simulation was funded by Health Education Kent, Surrey and Sussex. There is also a version for professionals to use directly with young people.
Visiting Elliot focusses on a home visit to a sex offender just released on licence into the community. It provides an opportunity for professionals to identify and then analyse risk factors in Elliot’s life.
The two training simulations are the latest in a series launched by the CCP, which include Rosie 1 and 2. These both offer child protection professionals at all stages of their careers a safe medium to explore and reflect on child protection assessment in a family.
The Centre has also worked with Kent Police and Kent County Council to develop Zak, another training simulation which explores how young people are groomed for radicalisation and extremism.