Developing a framework for measuring success and impact of multi-agency working on child criminal exploitation cases

This thesis develops a framework for measuring the success and impact of multi-agency responses to child criminal exploitation (CCE), with a focus on activity in England and Wales, specifically Gloucestershire. It aims to address three core objectives: to establish the operational context in which CCE responses occur; to explore perceptions of success across stakeholders; and to design a new framework to assess impact and effectiveness in multi-agency working. Using a mixed methods case study approach, the research integrates ethnographic fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, and data analysis to generate a nuanced understanding of how CCE is confronted at the local level. The study led to the development of two distinct but complementary frameworks: one capturing success from the child’s perspective, and the other tailored to multi-agency practitioners. Analysis revealed a set of core themes essential for effective CCE response and evaluation: Prevention and Early Identification, Intelligence and Investigations, Prosecution and Convictions, Victim Support and Community Engagement, Adaptable Responses, Interagency Collaboration, Data and Evaluation, and Continuous Learning. These themes highlight the complexity of defining success in CCE work and the importance of flexible, trauma-informed, and evidence-based approaches. This research contributes to existing knowledge by challenging narrow definitions of success in CCE interventions and advocating for a child-centered, systemic view of impact. It highlights that CCE is deeply rooted in broader social and structural issues, requiring a collective societal response. Addressing child criminal exploitation requires more than reactive enforcement by police or statutory agencies; it calls for a proactive, prevention-based model driven by coordinated action across all sectors of society to create change.