New guidance on child trafficking has been created by the government for professionals and community or voluntary groups that come into contact with vulnerable young people.

A recent official report identified a number of suspected cases of children being trafficked into and around the UK, with many of the young people involved coerced into sex work, forced to work in sweat shops, drawn into crime or sold into domestic servitude.

Jointly produced by The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Home Office, the guidance covers information for community groups, charities, organisations in the not for profit sector, social workers, immigration officials and other professionals, describing best practice if a child is suspected of being trafficked, the common background to cases of child trafficking, physical and mental abuse used to control children and ways to combat the problem.

Home office minister Vernon Coaker said: "Child trafficking is an appalling crime which causes terrible distress and ruins the lives of its victims. The guidance published today provides valuable information to those working on the front line, helping them to recognise victims of child trafficking and giving advice on how they should work together with other agencies to ensure these children are rescued from the horrors they can face."

Meanwhile, leading children’s charity Save the Children has called on the government to put in place adequate tools and resources to improve skills and training for workers who come into contact with trafficked children.

The ministerial team for the newly-created Department for Children, Schools and Families has been unveiled and includes Ed Balls - the former economic secretary to the Treasury -secretary of state Jim Knight as minister for schools and learners and minister for children, young people and families Beverley Hughes.