Child Sexual Exploitation CSE Course

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) – Online Course

Course overview
This one-hour online course provides focused training on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), helping learners understand how exploitation occurs, recognise warning signs and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns. It covers grooming, vulnerability and risk factors, online and offline exploitation, safeguarding responsibilities, reporting procedures and prevention strategies. The course is designed to support professionals working with children and young people in applying safer, informed and person-centred safeguarding practices.

Please note: This course provides CSE awareness training at Level 2 (intermediate). It supports safeguarding knowledge but does not replace role-specific, advanced or specialist safeguarding training that an employer may require. Learners must follow current UK legislation, statutory guidance, organisational safeguarding policies and local reporting procedures. Designated safeguarding leads and other specialist roles may require additional training.

What the course covers
• Definition, scope and legal context of Child Sexual Exploitation
• The impact and prevalence of CSE in the UK
• Recognising signs and indicators of sexual exploitation
• Behavioural, physical, emotional and psychological warning signs
• Indicators of online child sexual exploitation
• Vulnerability factors and groups at increased risk
• How grooming and exploitation develop, including targeting, gaining trust, meeting needs, isolation, abuse and control
• Understanding power imbalances, coercion, manipulation and secrecy
• Safeguarding responsibilities and relevant legal frameworks
• Organisational expectations and professional boundaries
• Responding appropriately to concerns and disclosures
• Reporting, referral and escalation to social services and police
• Building trust and supporting children and young people
• Prevention strategies and creating safer environments
• Promoting resilience and working across agencies
• Understanding the distinction between child sexual exploitation and child criminal exploitation
• Final multiple-choice assessment

Who is it for?
This course is suitable for professionals and other individuals who work with, support or may encounter children and young people in the UK, including:
• Teachers, teaching assistants, school safeguarding leads and other education staff
• Social workers, youth workers, foster carers and residential care staff
• Nurses, doctors, health visitors, school nurses and other healthcare professionals
• Mental health practitioners and sexual health clinic staff
• Police officers, community support officers and youth justice workers
• Charity workers, youth club volunteers, sports coaches and community group facilitators
• Housing officers, transport personnel, hospitality staff and leisure centre workers
• Parents, carers and others concerned about children’s welfare

It is suitable for induction, refresher training, safeguarding awareness and knowledge enhancement. It may also support professionals seeking to strengthen their understanding of CSE within their existing role.

Practical benefits
• Improve awareness of grooming methods and common exploitation patterns
• Recognise potential warning signs in children’s behaviour and circumstances
• Understand factors that may increase vulnerability to exploitation
• Respond appropriately and sensitively to concerns or disclosures
• Understand reporting and referral routes, including when to escalate concerns
• Support children without increasing distress or causing further harm
• Promote safer environments and early intervention
• Understand the importance of coordinated safeguarding across relevant agencies

What learners will be able to do
• Explain the key principles and terminology associated with CSE
• Recognise common indicators of sexual exploitation, including online warning signs
• Identify vulnerabilities and situations that may increase risk
• Understand their safeguarding responsibilities and role boundaries
• Respond appropriately when a child raises a concern or makes a disclosure
• Communicate concerns clearly and follow relevant reporting procedures
• Recognise when advice, referral or escalation is required
• Apply good-practice principles to support safer, more consistent safeguarding
• Understand how prevention, early identification and multi-agency collaboration can help protect children

Is this training a legal requirement?
The course addresses UK safeguarding responsibilities and relevant statutory guidance, including Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). Professionals working with children must understand their safeguarding responsibilities, but the specific training required depends on their role, sector, employer policies and applicable guidance. This course provides CSE-specific awareness training; learners should confirm whether it meets their organisation’s requirements. Designated safeguarding leads and other specialist roles may need additional training.

Assessment and certificate
The course concludes with a multiple-choice quiz. Learners who complete the training and achieve the required pass mark of 80% receive a CPD-accredited Child Sexual Exploitation certificate, available to download or print. Unlimited assessment retakes are included, and the course awards 1 CPD point.