Advancing the assessment of child sexual exploitation: a rapid evidence review and preliminary validation of the CASEE structured professional judgement tool

Purpose This paper aims to explore the quality of assessments available where a child is felt to be vulnerable to child sexual exploitation (CSE). In particular it considers the preliminary reliability and validity of the Child Adolescent Sexual Exploitation Evaluation (CASEE, Ireland et al., 2025), which aims to consider vulnerability and protective factors in a child felt to be exposed to CSE concerns. Design/methodology/approach It comprises of a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA), followed by a study of 94 professionals who completed a two-day CASEE validation event (3 events in total). Findings The REA captured a continued absence of theoretical and empirical background to currently available CSE assessments for children, and a continued failure to consider a Structured Professional Judgement (SPJ) approach. Taking a SPJ approach to assessing CSE using the CASEE, this initial study demonstrated a good level of inter-rater reliability overall, with limited disagreements between raters. Practical implications This paper argues the value of structured Professional Judgement Tools, such as the CASEE. The clear importance of using assessment tools that are theoretically and empirically driven is observed. The CASEE enhances the understanding of vulnerability and protective factors to support the young person. This paper showcases the value of detailed case formulation, which then maximises successful case management. Originality/value This paper argues the continued lack of CSE assessment tools that are empirically and theoretically developed, that take advantage of the SPJ robust approach, in addition to considerations of reliability and validity. The CASEE is outlined as an emerging example of an empirically informed SPJ tool able to begin to consider some of these gaps.