ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by examining historical and cultural strands that relate to the development of child sexual exploitation (CSE) services in the United Kingdom, and the social construction of participation within these. It then explores current evidence regarding participatory practice, considering how we can develop services that are accessible and acceptable to young people in the context of their experiences of CSE and embed and sustain participatory principles. The chapter considers the value of such participatory practice and its relationship to the protection of children and young people, alongside the changes in organisational culture required to facilitate its realisation. It includes evidence about the way in which service responses are interpreted and experienced by young people, how 'participation' can be translated into the service user experience, and how such practice can be shared and developed. The chapter draws on primary evidence collected during the Alexi Project and a range of other published literature.
