Adolescent Vulnerability Risk Meeting (AVRM)

The adolescent vulnerability risk meeting (AVRM) is designed to ensure that adolescent need is holistically and robustly assessed by a citywide, multi-disciplinary decision making forum. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together agencies with the aim of facilitating joint work to identify, share information and mitigate risk to young people who are considered to be at risk of exploitation or harm to others. The AVRM, while also offering consultation, will review risk plans and make recommendations of referral for Adolescent Services and Care Planning. It is a decision making forum whereby actions will be defined.

This happens in a fortnightly multi-agency meeting which is called the AVRM. The meeting has a primary focus on young people who are at risk of or experiencing exploitation, including CSE (child sexual exploitation) or CCE (child criminal exploitation) or any other forms of exploitation. It will also review and monitor the risk of high risk young offenders. The meeting is jointly chaired by Brighton & Hove City Council and Sussex Police.

Referrals into the AVRM can only be made by social workers or the adolescent service. If young people are at significant risk of exploitation (and therefore subject to an AVRM referral) there should be social care involvement and therefore they need to be referred to Front Door for Families.

The intelligence and information shared at the meeting will be recorded on police systems in order to allow the Police Analysts to identify themes, patterns and trends emerging from meetings. This may include the identification of serial perpetrators, and the involvement of gangs or premises linked to exploitation. Effective analysis depends upon the detail included upon referrals and intelligence submissions. It is important that gaps in this information (e.g. care home addresses, schools attended, known associates etc). are addressed at the meeting.

Where there are concerns about an identified perpetrator/perpetrating group, victim or location, the young people and perpetrators will be considered in the whole rather than as individuals. However, risk management plans will be developed for each individual.

If you have concerns about a child or young person being exploited you need to report this to Front Door for Families who will then make a referral into the AVRM. To contact Front Door for Families, call 01273 290400 or email FrontDoorForFamilies@brighton-hove.gov.uk.