Shipping containers and speed boats: exploring the contexts and relational spaces professionals navigate to safeguard young people from criminal exploitation
| Date | 31 January 2024 |
| Pages | 74-87 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JCS-08-2022-0024 |
| Published date | 31 January 2024 |
| Author | Kristine Langhoff,Michelle Lefevre,Rachel Larkin |
Shipping containers and speed boats:
exploring the contexts and relational spaces
professionals navigate to safeguard young
people from criminal exploitation
Kristine Langhoff, Michelle Lefevre and Rachel Larkin
Abstract
Purpose –This paper aims to present a mixed methods study of child criminal exploitation (CCE),
particularly in the form of ‘‘county lines’’, in three local authorities in southeast England. The data is analysed
using a framework constructed from two relevant contextual and relational theories to understand
experiences of CCE and the safeguarding responses undertaken to protect youngp eoplefrom harm.
Design/methodology/approach –Data were drawn from a survey (n¼118); interviews (n¼5) and
focus groups (n¼15) withprofessionals; interviews with parents (n¼4); and fromsecondary analysis of
eight interviewswith young people affected by criminal exploitation.The analytic framework was applied
to the data to answer two research questions: what is the role and significance of young people’s
interactions with peers, parents and professionals in their CCE trajectories; and how do professionals
understand and address riskswithin contexts in which young people are exposed to CCE? Themixed
methodsdata collected by the authors were codedand analysed using this framework.
Findings –Although professionalswere aware of contexts and relational power dynamics,the situated
and temporal nature of CCE remainedoverlooked within safeguarding systems. Professionals required
more space, time and support to fully and flexibly engage with young people and their families to
increasesafety.
Originality/value –There is limited researchavailable that critically examines safeguardingresponses
to CCE in diverse geographic and cultural contexts. This paper contributes a critical account of how
professionals might create connections and opportunities for change with young people, identifying
structuralconstraints within practice systemsalongside emerging examplesof effective practice.
Keywords Drug trafficking, Safeguarding, Child protection, County lines, Extra-familial harm,
Child criminal exploitation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is a matter of increasing public concern both in the UK and
beyond, with multidisciplinary child welfare and criminal justice systems struggling not only to
mount effective professional responses but even to develop shared conce ptual
understandings of the problem itself (Firmin et al.,2022;Olver and Cockbain , 2021;Wroe,
2019). The research base on how CCE manifests in varied geographic and cultural l ocations
and the tailoring of professional responses to these contexts remains emerg ent. This paper,
drawing on a mixed-methods study in southeast England, seeks to a dd to this body of
knowledge, exploring how professionals across the multidisciplina ry safeguarding system are
developing new understandings and adapting their practices to work with young people
affected by CCE.
Kristine Langhoff and
Michelle Lefevre are both
based at the Department of
Social Work and Social
Care, University of Sussex,
Brighton, UK. Rachel Larkin
is based at the University of
Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Received 30 December 2022
Revised 28 July 2023
5 October 2023
29 October 2023
Accepted 1 January 2024
This research was funded by
East Sussex County Council.
Since submission of this article,
the following author has
updated his affiliation: Rachel
Larkin is now based at
University of Sussex, Brighton,
UK.
PAGE 74 jJOURNAL OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES jVOL. 19 NO. 1 2024,pp. 74-87, ©EmeraldPublishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660 DOI 10.1108/JCS-08-2022-0024
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