Webinar: Falling through the net - prevention and protection: the exploitation of learning disabled and neurodivergent children and young people

Join the ExChange team for this webinar presented by Sarah Goff.

The exploitation of learning disabled and neurodivergent children and young people is a concern given the higher rates of abuse and exploitation experienced by children with special educational needs and disabilities. This presentation will consider the needs of these children and their parents for help and support.

Based on a study published in 2024 aimed at exploring policy gaps, examining practice responses, consulting with practitioners and parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities, this presentation will focus on the implications for practice. It will explore gaps in practice and what practitioners can do to respond in ways which seek earlier identification and more appropriately tailored responses.

The study was funded by the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre and conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University and University of Portsmouth in partnership with Portsmouth City Council. Report findings.

Sarah Goff was part of the team which carried out the above study. Based at Manchester Metropolitan University she works with Professor Anita Franklin and Dr Jo Greenaway focusing on safeguarding needs of disabled children. She chairs the National Working Group on Safeguarding Disabled Children In England, and also the British Association of Social Workers’ (BASW) group on disabled children, and co -chairs a group on Safeguarding Disabled Children for the Association of Child Protection Professionals. She is also studying for a professional doctorate looking at communication with neurodivergent and learning disabled children in child sexual abuse/exploitation enquiries.

Find out more on the Exchange event page.

This webinar is being organised by the ExChange team, please contact them if you have any queries.