Laura Boatwright
Minutes:
The project was set up to be a multi-agency one stop shop to support women at risk of exploitation to county lines/sex trade. A lot of good work was already going on but it was not joined up and required agencies to signpost to each other. Since SWAN had been disbanded in 2013 there was no specialist support for women who wanted to exit the sex trade.
Partners already engaged included
Change Grow Live
West Northants Council
NAASH
C2C Social Action
NHFT
DWP
Bridge
Hope
Cases were taken on if they fulfilled 1 or more of the following criteria but they needed to be ready to make the change:-
· Customer stated they were at risk
· They had historical links to county lines/sex working
· They had current links to county lines/sex working
· Situation they were in put them at risk (ie drug use, homelessness)
· Their behaviour indicated they were being exploited
Monthly case conferences shared information to identify the customer was at risk and provide the support they needed immediately and the provision would be bespoke to the person. They would ensure the person was claiming the benefits they were entitled to so they had their own money, help into accommodation if necessary and to get other types of support as appropriate. They currently had 12 cases for discussion at the next meeting.
Funding had been secured for a 6 week session where they could learn the signs they were being exploited and how to gain self-confidence. This included an away day with activities.
Tina asked if referrals could be made and if the project would ultimately get funding if successful. Laura responded that currently only the partners involved in the project but asked if anyone knew of anyone to send details and she could speak to the partners to see if they were known. Also, it was hoped the project would attract funding for a full time role as it was currently being undertaken alongside Laura’s normal job. Kettering had already expressed interest.
Pauline stated that it was a great project, going out to women in crisis rather than getting the women to go to the various services. She also asked if there any room to extend to include community organisations. Laura stated that yes, she had reached out to partners asking for any organisations they knew who were providing support, and asked that they be put in touch.
Irene stated that it would be good to link with Laura as gambling was a hidden harm and these women would be at high risk for gambling to try and get a bit win, or to be forced into sex trade to earn money to pay for someone else’s gambling. She asked that anyone they came across to get in touch with Laura providing the person gave consent.
Eleri was concerned that police were not engaged and thought it would be something perhaps for CIRV. Laura stated that they had been asked but they had concerns that it could be a conflict of interest and did not attend any planning meetings. Action: Eleri and Laura discuss outside of the meeting. Laura stated that engagement would really cement the partnership. A lot of names kept coming up and raising red flags.
Cllr Stone stated that it was an amazing project and was very pleased to learn about it. There were a lot of brothels and sex working in Castle Ward including sex for rent and she was very concerned about vulnerable women renting unregulated accommodation. Laura responded that they will tackle all the problems the women bring and access all the services they possible can as long as the women are willing to step away. They were figuring out the best and new ways of fitting with the customer’s needs.