Wandsworth marks National Child Exploitation Awareness Raising Day

To mark National Child Exploitation Awareness Raising Day (March 18) we are broadcasting this short film produced by the council’s Evolve team to explain the crucial work they carry out to help keep young people safe from harm.

Wandsworth’s director of children’s services Ana Popovici said: “The relational, compassionate work which Evolve practitioners carry out is complex yet transformative. This video illustrates how our dedicated team works to prevent young people from going missing. Done well, with young people’s interests at heart, it is simply life changing.

“We want to raise awareness of this issue because it can be one of the first indicators that a child or young person may be or have been impacted by exploitation.

“Responding proactively when children / young people go missing from home or care can address potential causes and the push/pull factors leading to this. The team works hard to reduce the risk of exploitation in the future.”

Wandsworth Evolve provides a safe space for children and young people who have gone missing to talk openly about what might be happening for them through our return home conversation offer. If you would like to find out more about this or how to support children and young people who go missing you can contact us evolve@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

• To mark today’s initiative the service is holding a Community Pop Up in the Southside Shopping Centre speaking to young people and parents to raise further awareness of this issue. Please come along and find out how the service can support you between 2pm and 5pm.