This 90-minute specialist module provides comprehensive awareness of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) within secondary education settings, aligned with KCSIE 2025 and statutory safeguarding duties. Through evidence-based content, reflective scenarios, and practical case studies, participants develop confidence in recognising, responding to, and reporting CSE concerns.

The course defines CSE as a form of child sexual abuse involving exploitation through coercion, manipulation, and deception. It explores how CSE manifests in secondary settings, including grooming behaviours, online exploitation, county lines involvement, and gang-related contexts. Participants examine vulnerability factors that increase risk—including neurodevelopmental differences, family instability, isolation, and LGBTQ+ identity concerns and learn how protective factors strengthen prevention.

Dedicated sections cover recognising warning signs and indicators across physical, behavioural, emotional, and contextual domains. The course guides staff through evidence-based response frameworks, emphasising the TED approach (Tell, Explain, Do), trauma-informed communication, and safeguarding boundaries. Practical guidance on reporting, recording, and multi-agency liaison is reinforced throughout, with specific attention to the role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The module includes realistic secondary school scenarios from social media interaction concerns to missing student patterns, allowing staff to apply learning in authentic contexts. Reflective prompts encourage personal reflection on practice, organisational safeguarding culture, and concrete actions staff can take to strengthen CSE prevention and early identification. On completion, participants understand CSE prevalence and impact, can identify at-risk young people, and feel confident in their reporting responsibilities.

The overall aim of this course is to increase staff understanding and confidence in recognising, responding to, and preventing child sexual exploitation so they can effectively protect and support young people in education settings.