Children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) are at risk of grooming and criminal exploitation because their needs are not met by current services structures, according to a new study.
The study from Manchester Metropolitan University in partnership with the University of Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council, found that children with SEND often face higher rates of poverty, social and school exclusion, isolation, bullying and discrimination. They are also over-represented in the care system and face particular challenges when housed in unregulated accommodation.
As they have specific vulnerabilities due to communication, learning or neurodivergent needs coupled with often high levels of unmet needs, they face increased risk of exploitation.
The report found that opportunities to protect them are often being missed by services meant to protect them. These failings are reportedly due to the absence of a national prevention strategy, adequate funding and relevant training for frontline workers.
Over 1.5m children in England and 75,000 in Wales have a recognised special educational need – with the vast majority of these children in mainstream education. The study found many are waiting years for recognition of their needs, diagnosis and the right support, despite concerns raised by parents.
This leads to increased levels of isolation, segregation within school and periods of missing, or being excluded from, school, according to the study – exposing children to greater risks of grooming and exploitation, leading to high levels of harm.
In 2023, there were 7,432 referrals of potentially exploited children to the National Referral Mechanism, with 51% referrals involving criminal exploitation (3,827) and 15% involving sexual exploitation (1,119), with anecdotal evidence suggesting a high proportion of cases involving children with SEND.
The report states that despite the parents’ desperate efforts to get support when exploitation is discovered, lack of support is leading to devastating consequences such as attempts by children to take their own lives and self-harm, enforced house moves, and children placed away from home.
Many families are living in fear of violence and with intense levels of stress, sometimes leading to family breakdown, and siblings experiencing trauma.
Professor of Childhood Studies and lead researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, Anita Franklin, said: “The research starkly indicates the need for parents and children and young people with SEND to be listened to when raising concerns about unmet needs and treated with paramount importance when they raise concerns about exploitation.
“The evidence illustrates the importance of agencies working together to understand and address the interplay of SEND and exploitation in terms of risk and response. The consequences of inadequate or inappropriate responses are having a devastating impact on children and families across the UK.
“We require joined up policy and guidance from national government, and resources and trained practitioners in order that appropriate prevention and responses address this child protection issue. Children and families have a right to be protected.”
The report calls for an urgent implementation of improved support for children with SEND as part of efforts to prevent exploitation. It recommends the Department of Education and Home Office updates specific guidance on safeguarding disabled children and young people and implement national mandatory training to address the lack of understanding of modern slavery and SEND across education, health, social care and the voluntary sectors. Practice and policy that works with parents as important safeguarding partners should also be implemented.
Liz Williams, Policy Impact Manager at the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre, which commissioned the research, said: “Children who have special educational needs face disproportionate levels of exclusion and therefore may be more vulnerable to being targeted, groomed and exploited. This research shows how important it is to implement a well-resourced systemic response that includes schools, social, mental health and other services to prevent exploitation and respond swiftly if such abuse happens.”
The research was funded by Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery PEC), which in turn is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
