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Top Girl: Supporting Girls Vulnerable to Gang Exploitation

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About Course

Harm does not start at the point of gang affiliation. This 7-hour, trauma-informed CPD course addresses the vulnerabilities and pathways of girls aged 13–17 being pulled into gang association and exploitation across the UK. It focuses on both girls already gang-associated and those showing early vulnerability.

You will gain actionable, non-judgemental tools to engage reluctant girls, assess risk, and facilitate effective multi-agency responses, with emphasis on trauma, gender, intersectionality, and lived experience.

What Will You Learn?

  • Understand the pathways that make girls vulnerable to gang exploitation
  • Identify early indicators of risk and vulnerability
  • Apply trauma-informed engagement techniques with at-risk girls
  • Develop safety plans and harm reduction strategies
  • Use multi-agency cooperation tools effectively
  • Reflect on practice using case studies and scenario exercises
  • Implement best-practice safeguarding principles in real-world settings

Course Content

Module 1: Understanding the Female Pathway & Context
This module introduces the unique pathways that place girls aged 13–17 at risk of gang involvement and exploitation. Participants will explore how vulnerability often precedes affiliation, the emotional and social drivers that shape behaviour, the UK-specific context of gangs, and the lived experiences of girls affected by exploitation. By the end of this module, learners will understand how early indicators, structural inequalities, and personal experiences interact to create risk.

  • Lesson 1-1: Age 13–17: Shifting the Narrative from “Affiliation” to Vulnerability
  • Lesson 1-2: Emotional Drivers: Trauma, Belonging, Identity, and Status
  • Lesson 1-3: UK Context: County Lines, Gang Networks, Overrepresented Demographics
  • Lesson 1-4: Lived Experience Insights: Fear, Loyalty, Shame
  • Understanding the Female Pathway: Risk, Vulnerability, and Context

Module 2: Intersections of Risk & Vulnerability
Module 2 examines how multiple, overlapping factors increase the vulnerability of girls aged 13–17 to gang exploitation. Professionals will learn to recognise early indicators before harm escalates, taking an intersectional approach that considers gender, race, socio-economic status, care history, and neurodiversity. The module integrates practical tools, including an early indicators checklist, case study mapping, and self-reflection exercises to support trauma-informed decision-making.

Module 3: The Five Faces of Exploitation & Grooming
This module examines the multifaceted ways girls aged 13–17 are exploited, groomed, and manipulated into gang involvement. Exploitation is rarely a single event; it involves interconnected forms of criminal, sexual, emotional, and online coercion. Understanding the dynamics of grooming, trauma bonding, peer pressure, and digital manipulation is essential for practitioners to safeguard effectively. Through real-world case studies, scenario-based decision trees, and video examples, participants learn to recognise warning signs, assess risk, and respond safely while applying trauma-informed engagement techniques.

Module 4: Trauma-Informed Engagement & Trust Building
Girls vulnerable to gang exploitation often experience high levels of trauma, fear, and mistrust. Effective safeguarding depends on practitioners’ ability to engage safely, build trust, and communicate without inadvertently causing harm. This module equips professionals with practical tools, evidence-based guidance, and reflective exercises to support trauma-informed engagement. Learners will understand common practitioner barriers, explore non-judgemental communication principles, and practice real-world strategies for interacting with at-risk girls.

Module 5: Assessment & Multi-Agency Action
Effective safeguarding for girls vulnerable to gang exploitation requires systematic assessment and coordinated multi-agency action. This module equips practitioners with tools to identify risk early, apply structured assessment checklists, and navigate interagency communication. Emphasis is placed on practical strategies to ensure no young person falls through gaps between services and thresholds.

Module 6: Safety Planning & Resilience Building
Safety planning and resilience building are essential components of supporting girls vulnerable to gang exploitation. This module equips practitioners with trauma-informed tools to reduce immediate risk, plan safe exits from exploitation, and provide ongoing support for recovery. Learners will explore practical strategies, create safety plans tailored to individual needs, and gain insight into fostering resilience while avoiding common pitfalls.

Module 7: Review & Next Steps
Module 7 serves as the final stage of the Top Girl: Supporting Girls Vulnerable to Gang Exploitation course. Its purpose is to consolidate learning, reinforce key lessons, provide access to essential resources, and guide participants through the CPD certification process. This module ensures that practitioners leave the course with a clear understanding of practical application, reflection tools, and actionable steps for safeguarding and supporting girls at risk.

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LP
Liz Pfisterer
3 weeks ago
Awesome content!