Workshop three in a series of eight workshops to disseminate the key learning from a programme of work across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire to identify emerging youth justice practice in the prevention, identification and disruption of county lines exploitation. The programme is funded by the Youth Justice Board and concludes in March 2022.

This workshop will be of particular interest to strategic and operational staff working in youth justice, police, children's services and other related professions.

Norfolk are trialling 2 practitioners being based at a custody suite. There will be an overview of the project and learning from the initial 6 months from Dan Wilson, Norfolk Pathfinder Lead. The Early Intervention Senior Custody Worker, Niccy Mills, and Custody Sergeant, Jamie Burgess, will discuss how having practitioners based at the custody suite has impacted on responses from professionals and supported children.

Cambridgeshire have piloted a trauma informed direct practice approach. Safer Relationships for Exploited Children (SAFE) is a non-statutory team who work with children and young people at significant risk of exploitation. They offer a trusted relationship to support young people in safe and effective exit. Anna Jack, Head of Youth Support Services, Darren Minns, SAFE Team Leader and Dr Emma Haworth, Principle Clinical Psychologist for the SAFE team will be there to share their experiences.

In addition, we will share learning from the introduction of 'Custody Comfort Boxes' across Police Investigation Centres in Pathfinder counties. These contain comfort and distraction items which can be supplied to children and vulnerable adults who enter the custody arena, with a view to supporting their engagement and enrichment so that their experience is a positive one and provides opportunity for a reachable moment.

There are over 20 workstreams in the County Lines Pathfinder, the learning from which have been grouped into a series of thematic workshops which will run over two days on the 8th and 10th of February 2022. Participants are invited to sign up to each workshop they would like to attend.