County Lines - Teacher Handbook KS4

Lesson Overview

Duration	60 minutes
Key Stage	KS4 (Years 10-11)
Subject Links	PSHE, Citizenship, Sociology, Law
Resources Needed	Pupil handouts, Quiz, Presentation slides

Understand what county lines exploitation is and how it operates
Recognise the stages of grooming used by criminal networks to recruit young people
Understand the legal status of exploited young people — victim, not offender
Identify the warning signs in themselves and peers
Know the routes to exit and support available

The NCA estimates there are over 2,000 active county lines in the UK
Children as young as 9 have been identified as county lines victims
The peak age for recruitment is 14-15
Around 27% of county lines victims are female
Over 60% of those exploited have previously been in care or have experienced significant family breakdown
Many victims do not self-identify — they believe they are working voluntarily

Modern Slavery Act 2015: exploitation of children for criminal purposes carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment
Section 45 Modern Slavery Act 2015: statutory defence for child victims of trafficking/exploitation who commit offences as a result
National Referral Mechanism (NRM): official process for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery, including county lines exploitation
Children exploited through county lines are legally victims, even if they have committed criminal offences as a result
Cuckooing (taking over a vulnerable person's home to use as a drug supply base) is a distinct criminal offence

Display a series of statements about county lines — true or false? Take a vote. Reveal answers to establish baseline knowledge.

Explain the model: urban gangs, county routes, mule recruitment, cuckooing. Use anonymised maps and case profiles.

Step by step: targeting, trust-building, isolation, control, threat. At which stage could intervention occur? What were the missed opportunities?

The Section 45 defence and the NRM. Emphasis: if you are forced or coerced, you are a victim under the law — not a criminal.

Self and peer assessment: warning signs, change in behaviour, unexplained money, missing from school. What would make you concerned about a friend?

Signpost exit routes: Operation Blunt, NSPCC, Crimestoppers. What happens when someone comes forward?

Some pupils may already be involved in county lines — be alert to unexplained absences, new money, or new older friends
Do not challenge or confront a young person who may be involved — this can escalate danger
If a pupil discloses exploitation, contact the DSL immediately — this is a safeguarding and potential police matter
Sessions may trigger strong emotional responses from those with lived experience
The NRM referral pathway should be understood by all staff involved in delivery

If a pupil makes a disclosure during this session, follow your school's safeguarding procedures and refer to your DSL immediately.

County lines is organised crime — it is not a lifestyle choice
Grooming by criminal gangs is deliberately sophisticated — it is not the young person's fault for being recruited
Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act protects child victims who commit offences under exploitation
Warning signs in friends or peers are a reason to tell an adult — it could save their life
Exiting is possible with the right support — there are safe routes out