As a response to learning which has taken place in the city, several campaigns have been developed this year, highlighting key messages for families, parents, carers, children and practitioners.
Some of the campaigns have related to the work to improve safeguarding within sports organisations and are detailed in the relevant section.
Additionally, a new campaign was developed and launched this year ‘Be party smart’ with the objective of providing safety advice for teenagers who would be attending parties over the Christmas season. The voice of young people was instrumental in the development of the campaign, with young people in the Leeds Youth Council consulted on the campaign message and artwork.
AP parties are where groups of children (under 18s) rent houses and apartments to organise what are known as ‘AP parties’ (all play/apartment). These can be rented via Air BnB or other companies, sometimes through an appropriate adult, but often through someone acting as an intermediary to rent the properties for children. AP parties can be attended by large numbers of young people and adults, are sometimes organised through social media, with the location being advertised around an hour before it starts.
Children who attend these parties could be at risk of criminal and/or sexual exploitation.
Not every party is high risk, but this campaign provided young people with the knowledge to protect themselves.
The target audience for the campaign were young people aged 13-17. The messages were advisory with recommendations on keeping themselves safe.
Social media posts used attractive party imagery to stand out and attract attention in a busy online profile feed. The posts linked to a campaign page on the LSCP website which provided helpful information for young people.