Step Out

Started by Donnington Doorstep in June 2011, the Step Out Project works with young people who are being, or are at risk of being, exploited. 

Step Out offers compassionate, holistic support to young people through nurturing and trusting relationships, creating a safe space and providing a flexible approach. Our practice is based on a contextualised safeguarding approach, understanding that young people are vulnerable to abuse in a range of social contexts. We know that young people who are supported emotionally are better placed to thrive and develop new skills and confidence.

We work to protect young people in partnership with professionals across the city such as with the Kingfisher team, the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub), police, schools and Social Services.

Although the Step Out Project began with a focus on child sexual exploitation following the publicity surrounding the Bullfinch trial in 2013, we recognise that there are newly understood forms of exploitation that are equally important to tackle (e.g. criminal exploitation county lines, modern slavery, trafficking). We work across the board, applying what we’ve learnt from working with victims of child sexual exploitation, in order to see children as victims, not criminals, and give them the help they need.

If you would like to be part of funding this vital work, please get in touch.