Cuckooing Training
Free training resources
Helping vulnerable people stay safe
At Talkback, we work tirelessly to help our members and those we are yet to meet to develop life skills. So, as part of our continuing work to help keep autistic people and those with learning disabilities stay safe, we have made a new film on cuckooing. The professional film stars our members. And, like all our training, it comes with a workbook to support you. So, trainers can use it to help educate people.
Films created by autistic people and those with learning disabilities
Our cuckooing film features the amazing acting skills of Talkback members and the story is told from their unique perspective. The film is accompanied by an easy to follow, step-by-step learning booklet for the person who provides the training. And it is available to download, for free.
What is cuckooing?
Cuckooing is a form of criminal exploitation where a person or group, often involved in drug dealing or other illegal activities, takes over someone else’s home to use it as a base for their activities. The term comes from the cuckoo bird, which lays its eggs in other birds’ nests, pushing the original offspring out.
In cuckooing, vulnerable individuals—such as those with disabilities, mental health issues, addiction problems, or the elderly—are often targeted. The perpetrators might initially befriend or manipulate them, offering drugs, money, or other forms of support. Over time, however, the situation often escalates, and the resident may be threatened, intimidated, or forced out of their own home.
Authorities are increasingly aware of cuckooing as part of broader criminal exploitation, especially within “county lines” drug trafficking, where drug dealers expand their operations from cities into smaller towns or rural areas. Law enforcement agencies work to identify and support vulnerable victims while tackling the networks involved in these practices.
Watch the cuckooing film
Take a look at the film below.
The film was professionally made by the fantastic team at Ultimate Films.
The Cuckooing Learning Booklet
The film is accompanied by a specific learning booklet. It has been carefully designed to be easy to use and ensure that participants get the very most from the session. If you would like a copy, then please complete the form below and we would be delighted to send it to you, for free.
This resource is free and available for anyone to use
If you’d like to be sent a copy of the learning booklet, then please just fill in the form below. We will come back to you and send the booklet.
At Talkback we are always working to improve the lives of autistic people and those with learning disabilities
This project was made possible through funding from the Thames Valley Police Community Fund. If you have a project that you would like us to collaborate on then we’d be thrilled to hear from you. At Talkback, our passion is to provide constant personal growth. Because this allows the members to embrace new opportunities, no matter what their age. Therefore, we ensure that every single person who walks through our door has the tools to thrive. And that’s in any aspect of their life they choose.
