Working with Sexually Active Young People under Eighteen

Please refer to the protocol. The following provides only a summary of action to be taken.

In order to determine whether a relationship presents a risk to a young person, the following factors must be considered:

whether the young person is competent to understand and consent to, the sexual activity they are involved in
the nature of the relationship between those involved, particularly if there are age or power imbalances present
whether overt aggression, coercion or bribery was involved including the misuse of substances as a disinhibitor
whether the young person’s own behaviour, for example through misusing substances, places them in a position where they are unable to make an informed choice about the activity
any attempts to secure secrecy by the sexual partner beyond what would be considered usual in a teenage relationship
whether the sexual partner is known by the agency as having other relationships with similar young people that have caused concern because of their nature. In such cases Social services will always link with the Police to collate information to ensure that regular “perpetrators” are recorded and recognised. It may then be pursued through the Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).
whether the young person denies, minimises or accepts concerns
whether methods used to secure compliance and/or secrecy by the sexual partner are consistent with behaviours considered to be ‘grooming’ for the purpose of sexual exploitation and abuse

In cases where the relationship is thought to present a risk, the Protocol must be followed