Newcastle Sexual Exploitation Hub are celebrating after scooping the top prize at the Children and Young People Now Awards.
The Children and Young People Now awards are one of the highest accolades that can be awarded to a service that supports children and young people and celebrates innovation and excellence in service.
They are judged by a panel of experts and professionals from across the children and young people sector, along with a panel of young people.
Newcastle Sexual Exploitation Hub is a multi-agency service that supports the victims of sexual exploitation, both children and adults.
The service played a key role in the conviction of perpetrators and support of victims during Operation Sanctuary and has helped over 500 victims since its development.
The experience of the victims makes engaging with them extremely difficult and the Hub provides careful and considered support, something every dedicated member of the Hub team is incredibly proud of offering.
One of the key successes of the Safeguarding Hub has been its dedication to multi-agency work, developed through strong partnerships between Newcastle City Council Social Care, Northumbria Police, local health services and key charitable organisations.
The Hub focuses on prevention, protection and prosecution and supporting victims throughout their recovery, including both physical and mental health support. The Hub has achieved fantastic outcomes for vulnerable people from across Newcastle, many of whom have experienced horrific crimes.
One of the Hub’s biggest strengths is the support for victims transitioning from children’s to adults’ services, ensuring continued support is in place and empowering them to make choices that will benefit them.
Nora Casey, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said,
“I am thrilled to see that the Safeguarding Hub has been recognised by the Children and Young People Now Awards, this is a testament to the fantastic work of the Hub and it’s great to see the staff getting the praise they deserve.
“The Hub played a key role in the support of victims and conviction of perpetrators during Operation Sanctuary, an extremely challenging situation for all the agencies involved.
“I would personally like to thank and congratulate all the staff from the Hub for their continued work, supporting some of our city’s most vulnerable people.
“I would also like to congratulate the other two Newcastle City Council services that were nominated in the Children and Young People Now awards, the Care Leaver Moving On project and Newcastle Virtual School, which received a special commendation in the Learning category.
“A huge well done to everyone.”
In total three Newcastle City Council services were nominated for the awards which were announced at a special ceremony in London on November 22.
Sexual Exploitation Hub – nominated for the Safeguarding Award
Newcastle Virtual School – nominated for the Learning Award
Care Leaver Moving In project – nominated for the Leaving Care Award.