About us
Complex Safeguarding Wales has been developed by researchers at CASCADE: the Children’s Research and Development Centre.
The research project examined how children were criminally exploited in Wales, with specific reference to drug dealing and the county lines model of drug supply.
We asked:
- How does child criminal exploitation manifest in Wales?
- What service approaches and interventions are most effective in the identification and prevention of child criminal exploitation?
Our research was advised by a group of young people, parents, and practitioners from statutory organisations, including professionals from children’s services, housing, police, probation, youth services, and third-sector organisations. They shaped the guidance and resources on this site.
Our work followed the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act (2014) principles of co-production, where professionals should work with those in need of care and support to identify solutions.
Email us for access to the child criminal exploitation assessment tool – help recording evidence about a young person suspected of being exploited.