Far too many young people continue to be drawn into areas of violence, exploitation, and county lines. Let’s draw the line, together. Learn more.

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STEPS (Support Through Exploitation and Prevention Service)

Supporting children aged 8-18 and young people up to the age of 24 with additional needs, who are impacted by Child Criminal Exploitation or Child Sexual Exploitation.

Our approach

Our integrated model provides trauma-informed prevention and intervention support for children aged 8-18 and young people up to the age of 24 with additional needs who are at risk of, involved in, or vulnerable to Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) or Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The service provides 1:1 specialist support, as well as diversionary activities and group training programmes.

Support for Child Criminal Exploitation focuses on prevention and early intervention involving 1:1 support for children presenting with vulnerability factors synonymous with exploitation, but who are not yet known to social care teams

A young, caucasian boy sits outside in the woods looking sad.

STEPS (Support Through Exploitation and Prevention Service) is an independent service. Our team are not part of social care or the police.

Frequently asked questions

What support does Catch22 provide to those who are referred into its CE and CSE services?

We have two main approaches to working with young people who are referred into our service:

  • Child criminal exploitation 1:1 support: We offer 1:1 specialist support and diversionary activities to children aged 8-18 who are not currently known to social care teams, and are at risk of, currently experiencing or have experienced child criminal exploitation.
  • Child sexual exploitation 1:1 support: We offer specialist 1:1 support for children aged 8-18 who are at risk of, currently experiencing or have experienced child sexual exploitation.

What prevention work does the service offer?

We have a team of Awareness and Prevention Practitioners who facilitate workshops and training for professionals, children and parents/carers to increase understanding around grooming and exploitation, and how to respond and safeguarding appropriately.

We invite referrals from both formal and informal education settings, meaning this element is able to delivering preventative programmes in schools and community settings. This strand is a preventative measure and would encourage an expression of interest from parties as a proactive safeguarding measure. 

Catch22 have been contacted because adults believe I am at risk of exploitation. What happens next?

If you are at risk of exploitation, our case worker will contact you and arrange to see you at a time and place you prefer and in the way you feel most comfortable. They will work with you to understand what’s been going on in your life and to explain how people can exploit you for their own benefit.

You’re not in trouble; if you’ve been groomed or exploited, it’s not your fault.

The case worker will meet with you regularly until both of you feel you are safe and happy, and you have good people around you who want the best for you. There is no set programme and no set amount of time the support will last. You are an individual and our support is tailored to your individual needs.

My child is at risk of exploitation. What happens next?

Children deemed to be at risk of Child Exploitation (CE) can be referred into Catch22 via the local authority MACE (Multi Agency Child Exploitation Meeting).

On receipt of a referral, our service coordinators assess the referral and discuss the best ways of supporting the child and the best person to deliver this with the referrer and parents/carers.

This could include topics including (but are not limited to) online safety, sharing indecent images, self-esteem and confidence building, healthy relationships, grooming and grooming models, and consent.

Caseworkers can also assist in providing positive diversionary activities for children and families at risk of or involved in child criminal exploitation, gangs and county lines activity.

Further signposting

General help

  • Childline (National)

Call: 0800 1111 | Website: www.childline.org.uk

When you call Childline you’ll get through to a counsellor, they’re there to listen and support you with anything you’d like to talk about. Or you can have a 1-2-1 counsellor chat online.

  • The Mix (National)

Call: 0808 808 4994 | Website: www.themix.org.uk

The Mix will help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to them via their online community, on social media, through their free, confidential helpline or their counselling service.

  • The Children’s Society (National)

Website: www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people

Are you looking for someone to talk to about how you’re feeling? Want to read up on a particular mental health issue such as depression or anxiety? Struggling to understand bills and worried about falling into debt? Our information and advice pages hopefully have what you need. If we don’t, we’ll show you who can.

Samaritans (National)

Call: 116 123 | Website: www.samaritans.org

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Victim Support (West Mercia)

Call: 01905 726 896 | Website: www.victimsupport.org.uk

If you’ve been affected by crime, call your local victim care team in West Mercia. Lines are open 9am–5pm Monday to Friday. Call 0808 1689 111 outside of these hours. Alternatively, you can contact us via live chat any time, 24/7.

Sexual Abuse

  • Purple Leaf (Worcestershire & Herefordshire)

Call: 01905 724514 (Worcestershire) or 01432 344171 (Herefordshire) | Website: www.purpleleaf.org.uk

All of our helpline workers are specially trained to listen and talk to you about whatever you are feeling or to help you talk to us about it. You don’t have to answer everything up or don’t want to. Whatever you want to tell us is completely up to you. If you don’t want to carry on talking for any reason, that’s ok, you can call us back another time.

  • Axis (Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin)

Call: 01743 357777 (Shropshire) or 01952 278000 (Telford & Wrekin) | Website: www.axiscounselling.org.uk

Axis helps women, men and children over the age of 11 who live in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin who have suffered the trauma of sexual abuse in childhood, or rape and sexual assault. We also see family members and partners of victims who have suffered sexual trauma.

  • The Holly Project (Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin)

Call: 01743 357777 (Shropshire) or 01952 278000 (Telford & Wrekin)

The Holly Project is a free, independent support service for survivors of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and their families, run by CSE survivors. It is a safe place for CSE survivors and their families to get support and advice from people who have experienced the trauma and impact of CSE. The Holly Project aims to help survivors rebuild their lives and offer hope for the future.

  • OpenClinic (Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin)

Call: 0300 404 2996 (Shropshire) or 0300 123 0394 (Telford & Wrekin) | Website: www.openclinic.org.uk

A sexual health clinic offering a variety of services. A member of staff will advise you on how to access the service you require. This may be an online STI testing kit, a telephone appointment, or a booked clinic appointment.

Mental wellbeing

  • YoungMinds (National)

Text: YM to 85258 | Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

Use the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained clinical supervisors. Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

  • Shout (National)

Text: SHOUT to 85258 | Website: www.giveusashout.org.uk

Our trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t appear on your phone bill. To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.

  • Kooth (National)

Website: www.kooth.com

On Kooth you will have 24-hour access to self-help materials as well as goal setting and mood-tracking tools. The online service hosts moderated forums, allowing for peer-to-peer support and interactive messaging with counsellors.

You can also able to drop-in or book anonymous online counselling sessions with qualified therapists who are available in the evenings and at weekends, sessions are available on weekdays from 12 pm and 10 pm, and from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekends.

  • HeadGym (Worcestershire)

Website: www.headgym.co.uk

HeadGym offers one to one personal development sessions helping anyone from ages 13 onwards with a range of mental health issues, confidence, low self-esteem. HeadGym provides coaching sessions to help you set goals, giving you techniques and strategies so you can stride towards these ambitions.

  • NoPanic (Telford & Wrekin)

Call: 0330 606 1174 | Website: www.nopanic.org.uk

No Panic helps and supports those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders.

Drugs and Alcohol

  • Talk to Frank (National)

Call: 0300 123 6600 | Website: www.talktofrank.com

Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank anonymously about drugs and alcohol today. You can also Talk to Frank anonymously using online live chat and by texting any questions to 82111.

  • Telford STARs (Telford & Wrekin)

Call: 0300 456 4291 | Website: www.telfordstars.org.uk

We provide a free, confidential and easy to access service for anyone needing support. Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol.

At Telford STARs we believe individuals are capable of changing their lives for the better. We are committed to help for their alcohol or drug use living using evidence-based services. If you are concerned and looking for some advice or support then please call us or refer yourself online.

  • We Are With You (Shropshire)

Call: 01743 294700 | Website: www.wearewithyou.org.uk/services/shropshire-for-young-people/

Phone us or use our online chat if you’re worried about your drug or alcohol use. We can help you stop or cut down on what you’re using and help you with other problems you may be having.

  • No Wrong Door (Herefordshire)

Call: 01432 227562 | Email: NWD@hvoss.org.uk

No Wrong Door creates a safe space for 11-25 year-olds to access information, support and guidance around any issue. We are a service that young people can be certain of in uncertain times.

  • Here4Youth (Worcestershire)

Call: 0300 303 8200 | Website: www.cranstoun.org/services/young-people/here4youth-worcestershire

Here4YOUth is an alcohol and drug service working with young people in Worcestershire. Here4YOUth offers support and information and helps young people to develop life skills to make healthy choices around their alcohol and drug use.

Self-Identity

  • The Proud Trust (National)

Website: www.theproudtrust.org.uk

The Proud Trust is a lifesaving and life enhancing organisation that helps empower LGBT+ young people to make positive changes for themselves and their communities.

  • Switchboard (National)

Call: 0300 330 0630 | Website: www.theproudtrust.org.uk

At Switchboard we provide an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men and bisexual and trans people – and anyone considering issues around their sexuality and/or gender identity. Online chat and email services are also available.

  • XYZ (Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin)

Website: www.sya.org.uk/xyz-club

XYZ is an LGBTQ+ Youth Group for young people aged 13 – 21 to participate in socialising, outings, filming, video games and to chat. A safe place to meet, socialise and get support from other young people and youth workers.

  • No Wrong Door (Herefordshire)

Call: 01432 227562 | Email: NWD@hvoss.org.uk

No Wrong Door creates a safe space for 11-25 year-olds to access information, support and guidance around any issue. We are a service that young people can be certain of in uncertain times. No Wrong Door also offer an LGBTQ+ and Friends Youth Group for those aged between 16-25.

  • Out2gether Youth (Worcestershire)

Email: youthworker1@malverncube.com (Alec) | Website: www.malverncube.com/youth/

A safe, friendly, weekly youth group for LGBTQ+ young people to meet and hang out.

Helpful Apps

  • For Me (Childline)

iOS: www.apps.apple.com/gb/app/for-me-app/id1094217440

Wherever you are and whatever life throws at you, Childline is now easier to access than ever before. ‘For me’ is the brand new way to get advice and support on loads of topics – from issues that can play a big part in everyone’s life, like school and exam stress, through to extremely personal issues, such as self-harm and mental health.

  • ZipIt(Childline)

iOS: www.apps.apple.com/us/app/zipit/id721031543?ls=1

Android: www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.org.childline.zipit.v2

If someone’s trying to get you to send nudes, use the Zipit app to keep the situation under control. Respond to unwanted chat with the power of GIFs taken straight from the app. We’ve made our own and chosen a selection of top ones from GIPHY. Use the flirting guide to navigate intimate chats, including tips from other young people.

  • Calm

iOS: www.apps.apple.com/us/app/calm/id571800810 Android: www.play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.calm.android&hl=en_GB&gl=US

Calm is a leading app for meditation and sleep. Join the millions experiencing lower stress, less anxiety, and more restful sleep with our guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, masterclasses, and relaxing music.

News and resources

Resources are listed chronologically.
Please use these arrows to see more.

Contact STEPS (Support Through Exploitation and Prevention Service)

An anonymous illustrated white silhouette of a head and shoulders sits on a dark blue background.

Daniel Morris

Assistant Director YPF

We have an open referral route for one-to-one support. We accept referrals from professionals, parents/guardians or self-referral.

To make a one-to one referral please complete this form.

To request awareness and prevention (for groups and specific support for schools and other professionals) please complete this form.

For further information, please reach out using the details below, and a member of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Addresses

27 Pear Tree Street, London, EC1V 3AG

Telephone Number

0300 102 1738

Email Address

steps@catch-22.org.uk

Telephone Number

0300 102 1738

Privacy notice

How we manage your data

Catch22 Charity Ltd. manages the data you provide in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

  • The Data Controller (the organisation that determines how your data is managed) is Catch22Contact us if you have a query about how your data is managed.
  • The Data Processor (the organisation that does data processing on behalf of Catch22) is Totally.Tech.
  • We are committed to giving you (the Data Subject in legal terms) an easy way to exercise your eight rights under the GDPR.
  • We retain your data for as long as you allow us to do so. You can exercise your right to erasure at any time however, there may be some instances where we need to retain your information for a longer duration for legal reasons, such as when applying for a job with Catch22.
  • Catch22 uses Click4Asistance as an online chat tool. By providing information, you consent to Click4Assistance collecting and processing this information according to their privacy policy. 

What information do we collect?

Catch22 may collect, store and use the following kinds of personal data:

  • information about your computer and your visits to and use of this website, including your IP address, geographical location, browser type, referral source, length of visit and number of page views (cookies),
  • information that you provide to us for the purpose of applying for a job or receiving job alerts (job applications / job alerts),
  • subscribing to email newsletters including your name and email address (email newsletter),
  • If using our online chat service Click4Assistance, information such as IP addresses, and chat transcripts will be collected. If you choose to provide them, personal data such as names, email addresses will be collected, or
  • information that you submit that relates to a complaint, service feedback or enquiry (complaints / feedback and enquiries).

Specific detail of each processing activity is provided below.

Cookies

Cookies are text files that are stored on your web browser by a website’s server. Each cookie is unique to your browser, and will contain some anonymous information such as a unique identifier and the website domain name. This information is sent back to the server each time your browser requests a page from it. This enables the website server to identify and track your web browser via your unique, anonymous, identifier.

Catch22 only uses cookies on its website where they will support the functioning of its website and to improve the experience of its website visitors. These cookies may be created by Catch22’s website, or by third-party services that Catch22 uses, to enable its website to be run effectively.

Some, ‘necessary’ cookies are essential to the running of our website and are exempt from the requirement of consent as per the GDPR and PECR. Functional, analytical and advertising cookies are all optional, and we will only store these cookies on your browser where we have received your freely-given, specific, informed, and unambiguous consent.

Any information that is collected by Catch22 via cookies is processed in a way which does not, and cannot, identify an individual person. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting the Catch22 website.

You can find out more about Catch22’s use of cookies, and how to opt-out of or delete cookies from your browser via our Cookies Statement.

Job applications

If you apply for a job with Catch22 using our hosted online job application system, this service will be provided by a data processor on our behalf (SmartRecruiters).

To process your application, we ask for your personal details including name and contact details. We will ask you about your previous experience, education, referees and for answers to questions relevant to the role you have applied for. The hiring managers for the role, along with our Recruitment and HR teams will have access to all of this information.

Catch22 processes your job application data for the purpose of its legitimate interest to process your HR information.

  • If you are successful, the information you provide during the application process will be retained by us as part of your employee file for the duration of your employment plus six years following the end of your employment.
  • If you are unsuccessful at any stage of the process, the information you have provided until that point will be retained for six months from the closure of the campaign.
  • Equal opportunities information is retained for six months following the closure of the campaign whether you are successful or not.

For more information, please see the SmartRecruiters privacy notice.

Job alerts

Through the SmartRecruiters job application system, it is also possible to sign up for job alerts, which will let you know when new jobs that meet your criteria have been posted.

These alerts are managed by the data processor (SmartRecruiters) on our behalf, and will only be processed using your freely-given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent.

If at any point you wish to unsubscribe from SmartRecruiters job alerts, this can be done by clicking the unsubscribe link on the latest email. You can also log into your SmartRecruiters candidate profile to modify or withdraw your details.

For more information, please see the SmartRecruiters privacy notice.

Email newsletter

If you subscribe to Catch22’s newsletter and/or event mailing lists, you will receive regular communications relating to our work. These mailings will be facilitated by a third-party provider, such as Mailchimp or Salesforce (marketing platforms), and your data will be processed by a third-party client relationship management platform, Salesforce.

Catch22 will only process your contact details and send you newsletters following your freely-given, specific, informed and unambiguous consent.

You have the right to unsubscribe from any of our email mailing lists at any time. If you wish to unsubscribe from a Catch22 mailing list please click the unsubscribe link on the latest email or contact dpo@catch-22.org.uk to ensure that you do not continue to receive email newsletters from us. We will need to continue to hold your details after you have unsubscribed to ensure that we do not send you further communications.

For more information, please see the Mailchimp or Salesforce privacy notices as appropriate.

Feedback and enquiries

Catch22 processes the data submitted through any of our website contact forms for the purpose of receiving your message and responding to it under the lawful basis of consent, which you give when submitting the form.

We will only use the information supplied to us to deal with the enquiry and any subsequent issues, and to check on the level of service we provide.

These contact forms are processed using the WordPress plugin, Gravity Forms. When these forms are submitted to us, notification emails are automatically generated to send your enquiry to the appropriate team within Catch22 who will store your email for as long as is required to deal with your enquiry and any subsequent issues.

Form submissions are also stored within the Catch22 WordPress database for a period of 90 days. This allows us to identify if there are any issues with forms being received by our teams. After this time, forms and all accompanying personal data are automatically deleted from the system. Gravity Forms does not receive copies of any of forms, or any accompanying personal data, that are submitted via the Catch22 website.

If using our online chat service, Click4Assitance, data collected through the chat service may be shared internally within Catch22  to provide support and improve services. 

You have the right to withdraw consent for us to contact you at any time by contacting dpo@catch-22.org.uk. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority, which in the United Kingdom is the Information Commissioner’s Office.

For more information, please see the Gravity Forms privacy notice.

Complaints

Complaints can be submitted via email to DPO@catch-22.org.uk, the service you have interacted with, or post to the address below. You can also call the service you have interacted with who are to relay the complaint through to our Data Protection Officer.

We have a legal requirement to acknowledge and investigate your complaint. We have made a complaint process and supplementary information available to you at our Data Protection Complaints Process page.

Your complaint will be logged, acknowledged, assessed, investigated, response sent, and recorded. Expanded information on our complaints process can be found on the link above.

For general complaints please see the Complaints, Compliments and Feedback policy.

Donations

Donations made through our website are processed securely via PayPal. By making a donation, you confirm that you are 18 or over and that the payment details you provide are your own. All donations are final and non-refundable, unless required by law. Please check your information carefully before completing your donation. Once your donation has been processed, you’ll receive confirmation via email from PayPal.

Your donation will help Catch22 continue its work across our programmes and services. Unless stated otherwise, donations will be used where they are needed most to support our charitable objectives. If a specific project or appeal becomes fully funded or cannot proceed, we may use your donation for a similar purpose to achieve the same charitable outcomes.

When you make a donation, we collect and process your personal information in line with our Privacy Policy. This includes your name, contact details, and payment information, which is processed securely by PayPal on our behalf.

Use of data processors

The Data Processor (the organisation that does data processing on behalf of Catch22) is Totally.Tech.

Catch22 also works with third-party data processors to provide our:

  • content management system (WordPress),
  • website analytics (Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity),
  • marketing platform (Mailchimp),
  • client relationship management platform (Salesforce),
  • social media advertising campaigns (Meta Pixel, Twitter Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, TikTok Pixel),
  • online chat service (Click4Assitance), and
  • recruitment service (SmartRecruiters).

We have contracts in place with our data processors. This means that they cannot do anything with your personal information unless we have instructed them to do it. They will not share your personal information with any organisation apart from us. They will hold it and retain it for the period we instruct.

Individual Catch22 services may work with additional third-party data processors in line with their contractual requirements. For more information, please see the relevant Service Privacy Notice, which can be downloaded from their service page on this website, or found by searching for the service by name in our Policy Library.

Disclosures

Catch22 may disclose information about you to any of our employees, officers, agents, suppliers or data processors insofar as reasonably necessary for the purposes as set out in this privacy notice.

In addition, we may disclose information about you:

  • to the extent that we are required to do so by law,
  • in connection with any legal proceedings or prospective legal proceedings, or
  • in order to establish, exercise or defend our legal rights (including providing information to others for the purposes of fraud prevention and reducing credit risk).

Except as provided in this privacy notice, Catch22 will not provide your information to third parties without your consent.

Security of your personal data

Catch22 will take reasonable technical and organisational precautions to prevent the loss, misuse or alteration of your personal information.

We will store all the personal information you provide on our secure, encrypted password and firewall protected servers. As data transmission over the internet is inherently insecure, we cannot guarantee the security of data sent over the internet.

Where information is held on our behalf by data processors, we will ensure, to the best of our ability, that they hold your information securely and in line with data protection legislation. We hold contracts with all data processors to make sure that they cannot do anything with your data unless we have instructed them to do so.

Notice amendments

We may update this privacy notice from time-to-time. Check this page occasionally to ensure you are happy with any changes.

Your rights

Please contact the Data Protection Officer if you have any queries regarding this Privacy Notice or if you would like to exercise or query any of the following rights afforded to you under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

  • right to access
  • right to erasure
  • right to object
  • right to rectification
  • right to be informed
  • right to restrict processing
  • right to data portability
  • rights in relation to automated decision making and profiling
  • rights to lodge a complaint with ourselves, via our data protection complaint process.

For further information on your rights, please visit the Individual Rights page on the ICO website.

Contact

If you have any questions about this privacy notice or of our treatment of your personal data, please email dpo@catch-22.org.uk or write to:

Data Protection Officer

Catch22
27 Pear Tree Street
London
EC1V 3AG

Data controller

Catch22’s data protection registration number is Z1473239

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