Cuckooing: Multi-Agency Safeguarding, Powers and Practice

This resource is about identifying and responding to cuckooing. This complex area of practice presents many challenges for those working in housing, social care and policing. Often, vulnerable adults are targeted, meaning a multi-agency response is required to safeguard victims. Practitioners can expect to be challenged by the conversations in the webinar replay, and to reflect on their own practice and how they can build stronger working relationships with colleagues in partner agencies.

Description

Responding to known or suspected cuckooing presents many challenges for practitioners working in housing, social care and policing. Often, vulnerable adults are targeted, meaning a multi-agency response is required to safeguard victims. The impact of cuckooing extends to the communities living around the victims, many experiencing significant disruption to their daily lives and feeling threatened, which adds complexity to thinking around responses. The tools available to professionals are limited, and perpetrators often remain one step ahead of those working in safeguarding and law enforcement.

Through a series of three conversations, this webinar seeks to provide deep insight into what cuckooing looks and feels like, leaving you with a clear understanding of what's at stake for victims and communities and better able to spot the signs that might indicate it is happening. You will also gain an understanding of the levers and tools that can be employed to disrupt this form of exploitation, leaving you with clarity about how legal powers under anti-social behaviour and modern slavery legislation can be applied effectively alongside targeted assertive outreach.The webinar will leave you feeling motivated to collaborate more closely with colleagues in agency partners to tackle cuckooing. You will gain the understanding you need to confidently and decisively act based on evidence of what works.

Cuckooing is a complex area of practice so expect to be challenged by what you hear and to reflect on your own practice, practice you are responsible for and how you can build stronger working relationships with colleagues in partner agencies.

These resources will help you:

• Develop a deeper understanding of cuckooing and the complex interplay of vulnerability and exploitation
• Develop a clear understanding of what the tell-tale signs of cuckooing are and how to act on your suspicions
• Acknowledge the difficult environments you can face when working in the homes of people who are being cuckooed and the how that experience can impact on you
• Develop a sense of the importance of a strong multi-agency response
• Critically reflect on the strength of the working relationships you have with colleagues in partner agencies
• Learn about the importance of employing your professional curiosity to unpick complicated scenarios and see beyond what’s told or presented to you by at-risk or exploited people

Bonus content

Cuckooing: Creatively Responding to the Challenge

In this supplementary video, Surrey Police's Joanna Grimshaw and Karen Jones from Catalyst Support describe the partnership work taking place to support vulnerable people experiencing or at risk of cuckooing in Surrey. Watch or listen

Further reading