I’m not going to lie; some people don’t even want to talk: Co-design with vulnerable groups affected by child criminal exploitation
Dr Cindy Corliss
Co-production values the lived experience of individuals as they are the experts in their own lives. This is particularly important when issues are not well understood because they can provide valuable insights. However, co-production also comes with challenges due to existing power imbalances between researchers and those within vulnerable populations. In determining strategies that would be most effective in safeguarding young people, a toolkit was co-designed, evaluated and refined based on feedback from young people, parents and professionals.
Engaging with young people in this project enabled them to become active co-designers. While there were difficulties in engagement due to ethical considerations, a flexible approach was designed so that participants could engage on their own terms.
All co-designers felt that there was an overall need for more information regarding child criminal exploitation that was targeted toward different audiences. The youth toolkit included a Youth Charter, two films with young people sharing how exploitation affected their lives, whereas the parent toolkit provided a website to help raise awareness.
These resources are free and are aimed at enhancing community responses to exploitation. in supporting young people, parents and professionals who have been affected by child criminal exploitation.
For more information on these resources please see – Complex Safeguarding Wales
