Cyber Crime
The Cyber Choices programme is a resource created to help people make informed choices and to use their cyber skills in a legal way.
This is a national programme co-ordinated by the National Crime Agency and delivered by Cyber Choices teams within Regional Organised Crime Units and Local Police Force Cyber Teams.
The aims of the programme are:
- Explaining the difference between legal and illegal cyber activity
- Encouraging individuals to make informed choices in their use of technology
- Increasing awareness of the Computer Misuse Act 1990
- Promoting positive, legal cyber opportunities
The following documents created by the National Crime Agency ‘Cyber Offences department are for teachers and parents in order to understand the law and it’s implications for young people who engage in potentially illegal hacking activit.
Hacking it Legal | For Teachers
It’s been designed to introduce the Cyber Choices programme to teachers and explain how it can help students who may be vulnerable to becoming involved in cyber crime or have begun committing offences.
Hacking it Legal | The Computer Misuse Act 1990
The Computer Misuse Act 1990 was created to deal with the issue of accessing or modifying data without permission. Find out about it’s origins and it’s legal boundaries.
Hacking it Legal | Parents Guardians Carers
Designed to introduce the Cyber Choices programme to parents, guardians and carers, to explain how where the legal boundaries are online and give details of resources childrencan use to develop their cyber skills.
The following documents created by the National Crime Agency ‘Cyber Offences department are for children and young people.
Cyber Choices | Under 12s
Cyber Choices | 12-17
Cyber Choices | Over 18s
Elearning
Childhood in the digital age
Online safety awareness
Open Learn | Free
More information
Online safety training
E-safety training to help you keep children and young people safe online
NSPCC | £35.00
More information
Sharing nudes and semi-nudes training
Online course to help professionals respond to incidents of nude image sharing or sexting
NSPCC | £25.00
More information
Podcasts
Nowhere to Hide?
Discussing the spread of child sexual abuse material online
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
Online misogyny: what impact is it having on children?
Discussing the increase in misogynist behaviour
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play Spotify
Online safety – a young person’s perspective (28 Feb 2025)
Learn what young people think about the online world, including content moderation, misinformation and Generative AI
Browser Apple Podcasts Spotify
Online safety in a SEND setting ft. Nicola Holland
For SEND teachers
Browser Apple Podcasts Google Play
Video
Websites
Internet Matters
Supporting families stay safe online
Website Facebook YouTube Instagram X
Childnet
Classroom resources and guidance for parents/carers
Website Facebook X
CEOP Support centre
Online Safeguarding reporting tool
Website Facebook X
Band Runner
Fun runner-style game for 8-10 year olds on the CEOP Education website.
Website
Documents
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Child safety risks highlighted around Gen AI include sexual grooming, sexual extortion and exposure to harmful content.
Published: 28/01/2025 Author:NSPCC
PDF
X (Formally Twitter) Checklist
Information on how to keep your X profile under your control
Published: 04/12/2024 Author:SWGFL
More information
‘So You Got Naked Online’ Released
New Version
Published: 29/11/2024 Author:SWGFL
More information
Online safety: government priorities
Its work to implement the Online Safety Act.
Published: 20/11/2024 Author:Gov.UK
Web
Classroom Resources
CyberFirst Navigators
Developed in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Centre, this pack supports an interactive video resource to develop students’ key knowledge, skills and behaviours — to help them navigate the risks of online life.
Category: Cyber Crime, Online Safety
Audience: KS3
Developed by: National Cyber Security Centre/PSHE Association
Duration (minutes):
Keywords:
There are 3 new lessons available in total, covering:
Lesson 1 – Cyber security and the implications/threats
Students will learn about the risks to personal information online, and how to protect personal information
Lesson 2 – Managing devices and accounts
Students will learn how to keep accounts and devices safe, and what to do if security is breached
Lesson 3 – Identifying scams and sources of support
Students will learn how to identify signs of online scams, where to report cyber security incidents and what happens when reporting
Making the right #CyberChoices
A free lesson pack to help upper KS2 pupils make safe cyber choices and prevent them from unknowingly committing cybercrime, as defined under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Category: Crime and ASB, Cyber Crime, Online Safety
Audience: KS2
Developed by: NCA/PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 2 x 30
Keywords:
Making the right #CyberChoices features a series of fictional characters and real-life, age-appropriate scenarios to encourage pupils to think about why young people commit cybercrime, and the potential consequences — for themselves and others. There are also opportunities for pupils to consider how the same skills being used to commit cybercrime could be used in a more positive way.
News
23/06/2025: Mobile phones banned in schools from September (Jersey)
The Government of Jersey will not allow mobile phone use at its schools and colleges from the start of September, parents have been told.
23/06/2025: IWF joins with partners to transform the global response for victims and survivors of online child sexual abuse
The Internet Watch Foundation has joined with a consortium of partners to develop the Artemis Survivor Hub (ASH) – a revolutionary, victim-focused response to online child sexual exploitation.
18/06/2025: AI puts real child sex victims at risk, experts say
An increase in sophisticated AI-generated images of child abuse could result in police and other agencies chasing “fake” rather than genuine abuse, a charity has said.
08/06/2025: UK government looking at social media ‘app caps’ for children, minister suggests
Peter Kyle, understood to be considering two-hour curfews, says he wants to foster healthy relationships with tech.
tester
Elearning
Certificate in Understanding County LinesFor school staff
Provider: The National College
published: £80.00
Child exploitation and drugs trafficking are illegal throughout the UK. All school staff should be aware of indicators that children are at-risk from, or are involved in, serious violent crime, including county lines, as part of their statutory safeguarding duties. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand, identify and support children who may be vulnerable to exploitation and at risk of being recruited into county lines.
Child Criminal Exploitation, Gangs and County Lines TrainingUnderstanding of gang issues and county lines
Provider: Virtual College
published: £30.00
Formerly known as Gang Related Issues and County Lines this online Child Criminal Exploitation, Gangs and County Lines training has been designed to give learners a better understanding of gang issues and county lines by looking at these terms, what they mean and the signs and symptoms of abuse. The online CPD approved safeguarding training also looks at Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), its definition and how to recognise it and much more.
Podcasts
Alcohol and substance useImpact of this on young people’s mental health
It will probably come as no surprise that drinking and drug culture is a huge problem for students. Leaving home and gaining independence is a very exciting time for any student but this can come with its own problems and struggles, one of the main ones being the pressure to drink and use substances.
County Lines—breaking chains of abuse & exploitationDisrupting Exploitation Programme
Criminal Exploitation and county linesInformation and advice
In this episode, we discuss criminal exploitation and county lines. The experts are Dave, a parent whose son, Mark, became involved with gangs, and Catherine, a youth justice manager who worked with Dave and Mark and has expertise in gangs and county lines.
Say Why to DrugsInformation and advice
What should we do about the rise in children vaping?The impact of vaping on young people
Madeleine Finlay speaks to former Guardian health editor Sarah Boseley about the rise in vaping among under-18s and what can be done to discourage more children from taking up the habit. She also hears from Prof Linda Bauld about the impact of vaping on young people
Video
Websites
abiandaWorking with young women and girls affected by criminal exploitation and violence
ChildlineOnline and telephone support helpline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
County lines (Fearless)Understanding County Lines
County Lines is a very serious issue where criminal gangs set up a drug dealing operation in a place outside their usual operating area. Gangs will move their drug dealing from big cities (e.g. London, Manchester, Liverpool etc.) to smaller towns in order to make more money. This can have a really big effect on the community who live there and bring with it serious criminal behaviour.
County lines and child criminal exploitationFacts and information
Children as young as six are being forced to carry and sell drugs far away from their homes. They are made to skip school, sleep in drug dens, keep secrets from their loved ones. They are treated as criminals when they often feel trapped in a hopeless situation.
Fully HumanFully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association. It’s our place to think, stretch out and join the dots between this fast changing world and what might best support children and young people to navigate it.
Not In Our Community: Grooming and ExploitationProtect against grooming and exploitation.
Talk to FrankHonest information about drugs
Home Office Minister Lord Henley said ‘There are so many ways for young people to get information on drugs: through their friends, the internet, TV programmes, films and song lyrics that knowing what’s true and where the dangers lie can be difficult. It is important that young people know that FRANK will always give them free and accurate information and confidential advice whenever they need it.
The MixThe UK’s leading support service for young people
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Youth vaping resourcesCornwall Public Health team
In response to requests for resources on youth vaping, our Public Health team have provided this toolkit aimed at schools, colleges and other professionals who work with children and young people, as well as parents and carers. These resources have been adapted with permission from Sheffield Council who developed them with ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), a public health charity set up by the Royal College of Physicians to end the harm caused by tobacco. The resources are designed to support educators, including PSHE and safeguarding leads, parents, and carers to have evidence-based conversations and enable children and young people to make informed decisions about vaping.
Documents
Alcohol and drug treatment in secure settings 2022 to 2023: reportData
Author: Gov.UK
Published: 26-01-2024
There were 46,551 adults in alcohol and drug treatment in prisons and secure settings between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Numbers in treatment have increased 3% year on year for the last 2 years, with 43,607 reported in 2020 to 2021 and 45,096 in 2021 to 2022.
Nitazene (RADAR Alert)Nitazenes overview
Author: RADAR (Scotland)
Published: 01-12-2023
There is an increase in the availability of a new type of synthetic opioid drugs called nitazenes. They are also known as 2-benzyl benzimidazole opioids. Due to their unexpected presence in the drug supply and high potency, nitazenes pose a substantial risk of overdose, hospitalisation and death.
Patterns in alcohol- related violence:Exploring recent declines in alcohol- related violence in England and Wales
Author: Institute of Alcohol Studies
Published: 28-02-2023
This report examines possible explanations for the decline seen in alcohol-related violence – drawing on existing literature exploring: changing patterns in violence (e.g., Farrell et al. 2014), alcohol’s relationship with violence (e.g., Graham & Livingston 2011), and the measurement of violence (e.g., Reiner 2016).
Recreational use of nitrous oxide —a growing concern for Europe
Author: European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA)
Published: 23-01-2023
The purpose of this report is to examine the current situation, risks and responses to the recreational use of nitrous oxide in Europe. To support this, the report also provides a state-of-the-art review of the chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the gas. It is intended for policymakers and practitioners.
“I don’t want to go down that road”The harms inflicted on criminally exploited children
Author: Action For Childre
Published:
In March 2024 we published the findings of the Jay Review of Criminally Exploited Children. This is our first piece of follow-up research, which examines the harms caused to exploited children and makes recommendations to ensure that these children can be safeguarded effectively.
Classroom Resources
Drug and alcohol education
Cover the statutory Health Education requirements with our drug and alcohol lesson packs
Category: Drugs, County Lines
Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 30+
Keywords: drugs, county lines, alcohol
The PSHE Association drug and alcohol schemes of work for key stages 1-4 have been developed for Public Health England. This pack includes lesson plans and resources for each key stage — with knowledge organisers included — as well as a comprehensive teacher guidance document, a briefing on the evidence base underpinning effective drug and alcohol education, and governors’ briefing. Interactive PowerPoint lesson plans are also available, for members of the Association.
Drugs and alcohol education for pupils with SEND
Support pupils with SEND to explore the facts, laws, risks and consequences associated with drug and alcohol use, as well as the dangers of household products and prescribed medications.
Category: Drugs, County Lines
Audience: SEND
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): <60
Keywords:
These lesson plans and slides are designed to be used flexibly, and can be adapted to meet the needs and abilities of your pupils. Each lesson provides several main activities for you to choose from, which are based on the progression stages outlined in our Planning Framework for Pupils with SEND.
Preventing Involvement in Serious and Organised Crime
The lesson plans from the Home Office are designed to prevent young people becoming involved in serious and organised crime.
Category: Crime and ASB, Drugs, County Lines
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Home Office
Duration (minutes): 2×60
Keywords:
The Year 7 lesson will help students recognise unsafe or coercive friendships. The Year 9 lesson explores the impact of serious and organised crime directly, including the example of young people involved in drugs supply with a focus on county lines (transporting drugs across counties).
Vaping
KS3 form time activities
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: Gov.UK
Duration (minutes): -30 mins
Keywords:
In these 3 form time sessions, students learn about social pressures around vaping, its impact, and the effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain.
Vaping year 9 lesson pack
Consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape
Category: Drugs
Audience: KS3
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 60
Keywords: vaping, consequences, harm
A year 9 lesson exploring the consequences of vaping and challenging the influences that might encourage young people to vape. Designed to follow on from the Year 9 lessons in our existing suite of drug and alcohol education lessons, this lesson will help students understand the impact of influences, influencers and marketing on vaping-related choices and behaviours, explain the consequences of vaping, including the environmental cost of e-cigarettes, analyse ways to challenge influences and misconceptions about vaping
News
19/06/2025: Pupil drug and alcohol use sparking violence, teachers warn
Teachers are warning that drug and alcohol use among pupils is contributing to violence and disruption in schools.
16/04/2025: Disposable vape use falling in UK ahead of ban
The popularity of disposable e-cigarettes or vapes has fallen ahead of a UK-wide ban, external on their sale on 1 June, a study suggests.
31/03/2025: Some children vaping in class, say teachers (Wales)
School pupils are unable to concentrate because of the effects of nicotine and some are even vaping in class, according to teachers.
25/02/2025: Generation K: The disturbing rise of ketamine abuse among young people
At the urology department of Burnley General Hospital, 26-year-old Ryan (not his real name) is having a drug solution inserted through a catheter – part of his treatment for a condition known as ketamine bladder.
24/02/2025: Vaping ‘more dangerous than smoking’, bombshell first-of-its-kind study reveals – raises risk of THREE deadly diseases
Regularly using e-cigarettes could put users at risk of dementia, heart disease and organ failure, a bombshell study has revealed.
19/02/2025: Government launches vaping study and social media campaign on dangers
The government has launched a £62 million study to examine the impact of vaping on young people, amid the trend which has “skyrocketed” in recent years.
19/02/2025: 10-year study to shed light on youth vaping
Landmark study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
05/02/2025: ‘Alarming’ rise in strong illicit nicotine pouches
High strength nicotine pouches that are being sold illegally in the UK could cause inadvertent overdosing and harm to teenagers and young adults, experts have warned.
05/12/2024: Welcome Rise Of Numbers In Drug & Alcohol Treatment
2023/24 treatment stats show welcome (7%) rise in numbers in drug & alcohol treatment.
25/11/2024: ‘I had no idea being a social drinker would damage my liver by 31’
At 31 years old, I was told by doctors that if I didn’t stop drinking alcohol, I could die.
Cannabis
Class: B
Law
Maximum Fine:
Unlimited
Maximum Prison Sentence
Possession:
5 years
Intent to supply:
14 years
Other impact:
Travel to other countries, Impact getting employment
Cannabis
Weed, Skunk, Sense, Puff, Marijuana, Hash, Grass, Dope, Bhang
Overview
Cannabis is a naturally occurring drug which can make you feel very chilled out, happy and relaxed. A big myth about cannabis is that it’s safe because it’s natural. Cannabis has some very real effects on your mood, as well as creating longer-term problems.
It’s the most widely-used illegal drug in Britain, although the numbers of people using it are falling. Cannabis is naturally occurring – it is made from the cannabis plant.
Effects
- Chilled, giggly and chatty
- Lethargic and unmotivate
- Paranoid, confused and anxious
Health Risks
- Mental Health
The Law
Cannabis is a Class B drug – it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. Possession is illegal whatever you’re using it for, including pain relief.
Supplying your mates, even if you give it away, is also considered ‘supplying’ under the law.
If the Police catch you with cannabis you could be arrested, have a formal caution, a penalty notice and a possible conviction.
A conviction for a drug-related offence could have a pretty serious impact. It can stop you visiting certain countries – for example the United States – and limit the types of jobs you can apply for.
Links
Talk to Frank
The Online Risks of Radicalisation for Young People
The Online Risks of Radicalisation for Young People
The overwhelming majority of radicalisation now takes place online, making it a vital component of online safety.
The internet is exploited by extremists to spread their ideology, hate, fake news, and conspiracy theories. These groups actively target and groom children and young people for recruitment and manipulation. Extremists know that many young people have unsupervised and unmonitored access to the internet, social media, games and apps through their phones, devices and gaming consoles, and that they are using the internet much more, and often alone, which provides opportunities for influence, content sharing and communication.
A common approach used by extremists is to spread misinformation and fake news to generate anger and outrage, often skewing current affairs and topical issues to play on our emotions, deeply held beliefs and values. Often, posts from extremist organisations use patriotism, support for popular causes, fear-mongering, grievances and idealistic or shocking imagery in formats such as social media memes, videos, audio clips and images which act as a gateway into more overtly hateful and divisive content distributed through closed groups and private online conversations.
Extremists also take advantage of vulnerabilities such as the social isolation, anxiety, low self-esteem and troubled home lives that many children and young people experience. Vulnerable people may be targeted through the offer of opportunities to become part of a network of like-minded people and offer a sense of belonging, friendship and acceptance that susceptible people may be lacking in their
everyday lives.
This list shows what those being targeted for radicalisation may be offered.
- Friendship and someone to talk to who listens and understands them.
- Gifts, money and online gaming tokens and currency.
- Access to participate in fun events such as gaming tournaments.
- A feeling of being accepted where they may feel isolated in their offline life.
- Membership of closed groups through apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord
- The opportunity to discuss current affairs, injustices and grievances.
- To meet in person and attend face-to-face events, marches and rallies.
Teaching our children not to fall for these ploys is one of the most important things we can do
to protect them from online grooming by extremists.
Warning Signs that Someone is Being Radicalised Online
- Isolation and withdrawal from family and friends.
- Increased secrecy about their online activity.
- Spending excessive amounts of time online.
- Particular interest in certain news topics or conspiracy theories and expressing strong views about these subjects.
- New online friends that appear to be influential.
- Negative views about certain groups within the community, possibly including violent sentiments towards them.
- Sympathies towards certain ideologies and admiration for figureheads within these organisations.
- Joining closed groups on apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram and Discord following conversations with “friends” online.
- Internet searches that indicate an interest in an ideology, violence (e.g. gore videos), and/or chemicals and explosives.
Developing your pupils’ critical thinking about online content
Extremist organisations rely on people becoming drawn in to consuming their content and pursuing further information or engaging in conversation about it. Disinformation or “fake news”, misinformation and propaganda is everywhere and the accessibility and ease of distribution of this content is alarming.
Support your pupils to develop critical thinking and fact-checking skills when looking at content and media online to discern if they are based in truth or have come from untrustworthy sources.
Fact Checking
Fact Checking
Encourage pupils to critically evaluate content they see online:
- Is it from a reputable and trustworthy website or author?
- What are the problems with content shared through social
media platforms? - Can the information be verified through other sources?
- Is the information based in fact or opinion?
- Does the author have any bias or motive in posting this
article? - Has the information been distorted, exaggerated,
sensationalised, or even made up?
Fake News
Helping pupils understand fake news
Talk through fake news with your students with the fantastic teaching resources on BBC Teach and Teacher Guide to support students with fact checking.
Watch the following BBC Teach rap with your pupils to understand the science behind how fake news grabs your attention:
Full Fact Website
A useful tool for fact checking topical news headlines, statements made by politicians and public figures, and national issues and events around crime, health, education and the economy.
BBC Bitesize Fake News Quiz
Can your students spot which news stories are true and which are
fake news?
Internet Matters Fake News Quiz
Age-differentiated quizzes to support children’s critical thinking
around fake news, clickbait, reliable sources and author motivations.
Photoshop and Deep Fake Technology
Technology can now be used to create images, audio clips and video of seemingly real people saying and doing things they never said or did. Deep fakes are so realistic that they can be incredibly difficult to detect. This, coupled with the ease of sharing and re-sharing, can mean that once this deep fake content has been released it cannot be easily removed and it can have a wide-ranging influence from public opinion and politics to business and personal lives.
Try this Google reverse image search activity with your students:
Creating Safe Spaces To Talk Offline
A crucial part of teaching pupils to stay safe online and develop their critical thinking skills in relation to online content is through schools and parents encouraging, allowing and facilitating open dialogue about topical issues, giving young people the opportunity to express their views and discuss content that they have seen in a supportive environment.
When young people are discouraged or banned from talking about controversial issues or views that they or others hold, their interest and curiosity about the subject doesn’t go away, though without safe space to discuss and explore these issues further they can become isolated, leading them to seek their own information from the online space.
See the below links to websites that can support these conversations around difficult subjects.
Solutions not Sides
This website offers lots of online guidance and assembly kits to aid teachers in understanding how to talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict and the antisemitism and Islamophobia that has surfaced as a result. They also offer workshops for young people that can be booked for schools.
Facing History
Partnered with Solutions Not Sides, Facing History can aid secondary schools in facilitating difficult conversations in classrooms, looking at identity and empathy on both sides of the conflict through use of video and film media.
Votes for Schools: Misogyny and Andrew Tate
How to talk to young people in KS3 and KS4 about the rise in misogyny, particularly around the influencer Andrew Tate, as well as free Safer Internet Day lesson packs, assemblies and resources.
Digital Matters: Managing Online Information
Digital Matters, created by Internet Matters, is a platform which uses quiz-style and story-based learning while promoting discussion in the classroom to promote a safer internet.
The Managing Online Information module aims for Year 5 and Year 6 pupils to explore the differences between belief, fact and opinion and look at reliable sources.
Be Internet Citizens
Be Internet Citizens is an educational programme developed by the Institute of Strategic Dialogue and YouTube, designed to build young people’s digital citizenship skills. The PSHE Association-accredited Unit of Work covers five lessons for secondary school pupils, spanning a range of topics. The lessons aim to build young people’s critical thinking skills whilst developing their resilience to hate and extremism through a range of engaging exercises. The resources included are a series of lesson plans and the accompanying PowerPoint Presentation.
Managing Feelings about the News
A lesson plan and teaching resources available through The Guardian to help young people analyse and manage their feelings about difficult issues that they see in the news.
Stand Up! Discrimination Today and Yesterday
A classroom resource which aims to explore issues around discrimination and tolerance. The resource focuses on antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred. Teachers may use this resource to teach about discrimination, antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred historically and in Britain today.
Be Internet Legends
Resources to aid children to be safer and more confident users of the online space.
More information:
How to report concerns, identifying vulnerability factors, news, documents and resources
Healthy Relationships
A healthy relationship is when everyone feels respected, trusted and valued for who they are. It’s natural for children and teenagers to be curious about sex and relationships as they grow older. But for some parents and carers, their child starting a new relationship or becoming sexually active can also be a worrying time. More young people are also starting relationships online and using things like social media or video apps to communicate with their partners.
What do children and young people learn in relationship, sex and health education?
We want to make sure that young people understand what healthy relationships look like and how to navigate their personal lives in a positive, safe and healthy way.
That’s why we introduced the statutory relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) curriculum. We regularly review the RSHE guidance to make sure it’s relevant, safe and effective.
Act on it Now: a site developed for young people, by young people
Learn about what healthy, unhealthy and toxic relationships look like. Get help if you’re worried about your own relationship or someone else’s.
Harmful Sexual Behaviour
“Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour which is displayed by children and young people and which may be harmful or abusive. It can be displayed towards younger children, peers, older children or adults. It’s harmful to the children and young people who display it, as well as those it is directed towards.”
NSPCC briefing (2017)
Incels | A short guide for those teaching Year 10 and above
This guide explains what the Incel online subculture is and the signs that a young person may be engaging with it.
Violence against Women and Girls
Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.
In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:
- intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide);
- sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment);
- human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation);
- female genital mutilation; and
- child marriage.
(United Nations 2019)
Domestic Violence
We define domestic abuse as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer. It is very common. In the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.
Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence)
- Psychological and/or emotional abuse
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Financial or economic abuse
- Harassment and stalking
- Online or digital abuse
(Women’s Aid)
Cornwall
Cornwall Domestic Abuse Helpline (24hrs)
01872 225629
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
Cornwall Women’s Refuge Trust (24hrs)
01872 225629
Esteem (support for male victims)
01872 321546
Plymouth
Plymouth Domestic Abuse Service
01752 252033
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
Devon
Devon’s Domestic Abuse Helpline
0345 155 1074
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
North Devon Against Domestic Abuse
01271 321946
Torbay
Are you ok?
(Torbay domestic abuse service)
01803 698869
Victim Support for Devon and Cornwall
0300 303 0554
Encompass
Operation Encompass is a unique Police and Education early intervention safeguarding partnership which supports children and young people exposed to domestic abuse.
Operation Encompass is a Trauma Informed and Trauma Sensitive charity. We acknowledge and understand the impact of Domestic Abuse as an Adverse Childhood Experience(ACE)
Operation Encompass mitigates against the damage caused by exposure to Domestic Abuse and other ACE’s.
At last there is someone I can talk to
At last there is someone I can talk toAre children experiencing domestic abuse a vulnerable group?
A Handbook for Schools
Classroom Resources
Bold Voices
Gender based violence
Category: Domestic Violence, Healthy Relationships, Violence
Audience: KS3, KS4
Developed by: Bold Voices
Duration (minutes): 10-30
Keywords: gender, harassment
An engaging introductory lesson exploring the definition of gender based violence and highlighting some key experiences including public sexual harassment, upskirting and victim blaming.
CEOP Talks Relationships
CEOP Talks Relationships is a 6 week campaign helping teachers to educate and support young people in building healthy relationships.
Category: Healthy Relationships, Online Safety
Audience: KS3
Developed by: CEOP
Duration (minutes): 60 x 6
Keywords: Rights, healthy relationships, Nudes (Sexting), law, consent
Week 1 – Starting new relationships
Week 2 – Rights in relationships
Week 3 – Healthy sexual experiences
Week 4 – Sharing nudes and semi-nudes
Week 5 – The internet’s impact on relationships
Week 6 – Creating positive attitudes and cultures
It will also signpost you to a range of our free resources that you can use with young people, parents and carers, and colleagues, that will help to promote healthy relationships and tackle online sexual harassment, online sexual abuse and non-consensual nude image sharing amongst secondary aged young people.
Consent lesson pack
These lessons and guidance will give teachers and schools the confidence to teach about consent effectively from key stage 1 right through to key stage 5/post-16, and cover everything from the law on consent to key considerations for safe, effective teaching.
Category: Healthy Relationships
Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 30-60
Keywords:
Accompanying teacher guidance covers everything from the law on consent to key considerations for safe, effective teaching. These materials will give you everything you need to plan, sequence and teach this statutory RSHE content within a PSHE education programme tailored to your pupils’ needs.
Exploited
Understanding healthy and mutually respectful relationships
Category: Exploitation, Healthy Relationships, Online Safety
Audience: KS3, KS4
Developed by: CEOP/NCA
Duration (minutes): 3 x 60
Keywords:
The Exploited film and accompanying lessons aim to help young people understand healthy and mutually respectful relationships; including what healthy and unhealthy features look like in both online and offline contexts and how to report concerns of abuse.
Elearning
Harmful sexual behaviour in schools trainingHelp manage harmful sexual behaviour in primary or secondary schools in the UK
Provider: NSPCC
published: £35.00 per person
Are you aware of the differences between healthy sexual behaviours and those which are of concern? Do you know what to do if a child or young person has experienced sexual harassment and abuse or is displaying sexualised behaviour? Get the knowledge and skills you need to recognise, report and record sexualised behaviour concerns with our elearning courses for primary or secondary schools.
Talk Relationships: delivering sex and relationships education trainingSupport secondary school teachers and leaders to deliver inclusive sex and relationships education
Provider: NSPCC
published: £9.50
Online training to support secondary school teachers to deliver inclusive sex and relationships education. We want all young people to grow up understanding healthy behaviours in relationships and to get help from a trusted adult if they need it. This elearning course is part of our Talk Relationships service that supports people working in secondary education to overcome any challenges they may face when delivering sex and relationships education.
Domestic Violence AwarenessFor professionals
Provider: CPD Online College
published: £20.00
In this Domestic Violence course you will learn of the existing legislations surrounding domestic violence in order to protect individuals. You will consider the key elements of domestic violence in relation to the behaviours that are experienced by both the abuser and the victim.
Podcasts
Direct work with children displaying harmful sexual behaviourusing trauma-informed and therapeutic practices
Using trauma-informed and therapeutic practices with children and young people. In January 2020, we published a series of podcast episodes on assessing and preventing harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). Our newly published three-part series focuses on direct work with children and young people displaying HSB and using trauma-informed and therapeutic practices.
Domestic abuse support in the workplaceNSPCC Learning Podcast
Domestic abuse experts from the NSPCC Helpline discuss what workplaces can do to provide support to parents and children experiencing domestic abuse. The discussion covers topics including how to create a workplace domestic abuse policy, the indicators of domestic abuse and what managers can do to support colleagues experiencing domestic abuse or other safeguarding concerns.
Gain an insight into assessing high and lower level sexual behaviour concerns in schoolsIdentifying problematic, inappropriate or serious sexual behaviour
It can be hard to determine what healthy, problematic, inappropriate or serious sexual behaviour looks like in schools, particularly where there are limited resources available. This is where specialist provision and services can help. They can support you in assessing the young person who has displayed sexually harmful behaviour and help you to understand the nature and extent of the behaviour.
Guardian: Online misogyny: what impact is it having on children?One in 10 children have watched pornography by the time they are nine years old.
According to new research by the children’s commissioner for England, one in 10 children have watched pornography by the time they are nine years old. And teachers say the effects are being felt in schools. So what makes young people vulnerable to this kind of content, and what impact might it have on their brains and behaviour?
NSPCC: why domestic abuse is a child protection issueFor professionals
Find out how to improve your practice around domestic abuse when working with children and families. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of domestic abuse and why it is a safeguarding and child protection issue. We talk about the main themes that emerged from our learning from case reviews briefing on domestic abuse and share what we see in practice.
Podcast: How domestic abuse affects childrenThe effects of domestic abuse on children, young people and babies.
NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode on the effects of domestic abuse on children, young people and babies. The episode features representatives from Childline and the NSPCC Helpline discussing: what children are telling Childline about domestic abuse and how this differs from what adults are telling the Helpline; the ways in which the effects of domestic abuse may present through a child’s behaviour; the importance of listening to the voice of the child; and safeguarding actions for professionals who identify domestic abuse.
Podcast: Teaching sex and relationships education (SRE) with Talk RelationshipsDiscussing the challenges teachers face when teaching SRE in secondary schools
In this podcast episode, actor and Childline ambassador Natalie Dormer is joined by two teachers to talk about what it’s like to teach sex and relationships education. They discuss the challenges teachers may face when teaching SRE, as well as practical solutions to these problems.
Websites
Act on It!For a Safe Relationship
Change 4U (Cornwall)Changing behaviour and develop healthier relationship skills
Change 4U provides three tiers of support available to men and women to change behaviour and develop healthier relationship skills, knowledge and understanding.
ChildlineOnline and telephone support helpline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Concerned about a child or young person’s sexual behaviour?Confidential Helpline
Are you concerned about a young person or child’s sexual behaviour around other children? Does a child you know do or say things you feel are inappropriate or that make you uncomfortable? Has a child you know taken sexual exploration too far? Or do you know a child with sexual behaviour problems online?
Fully HumanFully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association. It’s our place to think, stretch out and join the dots between this fast changing world and what might best support children and young people to navigate it.
MaaateFor professionals in tackling harmful sexual behaviours
How long will it take you to step in? Violence against women and girls starts with words. Watch this interactive scene of a group of friends hanging out and click the ‘Maaate’ button when you think it’s time to call out their behaviour.
ManCulture (Plymouth based)Fostering a positive ‘man culture’ characterized by the values: respect, integrity, and accountability.
“We run workshops in businesses and organisations where we talk with men about the reality of male violence against women and girls, the strategies that the women in their life employ to keep themselves safe from that violence, and what they can do to change our culture to one of no violence.”
ManKindManKind: Helping males escape domestic abuse
“Our confidential helpline is available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers. We provide an information, support and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband. This can range from physical violence or object throwing to abuse such as constant bullying or insults.”
NSPCC: Problematic and Harmful sexual behaviourGuidance and advice
Harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people which is harmful or abusive. Peer-on-peer sexual abuse is a form of HSB where sexual abuse takes place between children of a similar age or stage of development.
Parental Education Growth Support (PEGS)Child to Parent Abuse support
Child to Parent Abuse is complex and misunderstood – partly because it has historically been largely ignored in favour of a focus on intimate partner abuse, partly because it is drastically under-reported, and because there are lots of misconceptions around the subject. Some parents may not recognise what is happening to them as abuse – but the behaviours they are experiencing are abuse, and they are not okay.
RefugeSupporting those who have experienced violence and abuse
Supporting those who have experienced violence and abuse is at the core of everything we do. No matter what your experience – domestic violence, sexual violence, ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, FGM, human trafficking or modern slavery – we are here to support you.
Teens and Online Dating – Advice for ParentsHelp teens stay safe as they interact with others online
The digital world is shaping the way young people develop their relationships on and offline. If used correctly, it can be a great tool to establish and maintain healthy relationships. For young people, when it comes to dating online it isn’t just about dating apps. It’s about how relationships develop on social media and through private messaging.
The A-Z of ConsentGraphic containing guidance and support
The A-Z of Consent is free to download and share. The Consent Coalition is a group of organisations within Nottingham who are working together to raise awareness of the importance of consent, banish myths about rape and sexual violence, and encourage survivors and victims to access support and report any sexual violence.
The MixThe UK’s leading support service for young people
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Documents
Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young peopleGuidance on responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people.
Author: Gov.UK
Published: 11-03-2024
This non-statutory advice aims to support designated safeguarding leads (or equivalents) and senior leadership teams in education settings in England in responding effectively to incidents involving the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes. (Updated March 2024)
Key messages from research on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviourSecond edition
Author: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse
Published: 01-01-2023
“Our ‘Key messages from research’ papers aim to provide succinct, relevant information for frontline practitioners and commissioners. They bring together the most up-to-date research into an accessible overview, supporting confident provision of the best possible responses to child sexual abuse. This paper focuses on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviour, and is an update of the previous 2018 version.”
Harmful Sexual Behaviour: Case Studies and FAQsTypes of incidents of harmful sexual behaviour
Author: South West Grid for Learning/Marie Collins Foundation
Published: 01-01-2023
The purpose of this document is to help increase understanding of the type of incidents of harmful sexual behaviour. These FAQs are based on cases that have been reported to the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Support Service (HSBSS) and aim to provide some guidance on what to do should you be dealing with something similar. This document can also be a useful resource to share with staff to help raise awareness of harmful sexual behaviour.
Harmful Sexual behaviour Service: School Template PolicyPolicy template
Author: SWGFL
Published: 01-01-2023
The purpose of this document is to support schools in creating a good foundation for understanding, recognising, and responding to incidents of harmful sexual behaviour. The policy template should be adapted to suit your specific setting and should be referred to when responding to any incidents of harmful sexual behaviour to ensure a consistent and safe approach across the school community.
News
19/06/2025: Inspectors call for better support for young child victims of domestic abuse
Failures in support for young children who are victims of domestic abuse in Redcar and Cleveland have been highlighted by inspectors.
15/05/2025: ‘I thought the abuse was normal – he was my first proper boyfriend’
Lucy, not her real name, was just 13 years old when she met her ex-boyfriend online. The start of their relationship was “like something out of a rom-com or romance novel”.
01/03/2025: Young abuse witnesses failed
The criminal justice system is currently “ill-equipped to respond to the enormity of the challenge” of meeting the needs of domestic abuse survivors, including children, according to the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales Nicole Jacobs.
27/01/2025: Domestic abuse tsar calls on police to recognise victim rights of child witnesses
The police are currently failing to recognise the victim rights of children who witness violence and abuse in their home, according to the domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales.
04/12/2024: Murdered teen’s mum fears more lives will be lost
The mother of a teenager killed by her ex-boyfriend fears others are likely to die if more is not done to tackle abuse and violence in young people’s relationships.
04/11/2024: Home Office to examine domestic violence age thresholds after teenager’s murder
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged to “look at” lowering the age at which a person can be classed as a victim of domestic abuse after the murder of a 15-year-old girl by her ex-boyfriend.
04/11/2024: Mother of girl, 15, stabbed to death by boyfriend calls for teenage domestic abuse law change
Under current laws, the victim and the perpetrator must be over 16 for it to be deemed a crime of domestic abuse.
13/09/2024: Inspectors to probe agencies response to child victims of domestic abuse
Joint targeted area inspections to examine how councils, NHS, the police and probation work together in response to domestic abuse, particularly where victims are unborn or young children.
28/08/2024: ‘We make mothers responsible, but don’t work with men’: Brid Featherstone on child protection
Professor Brid Featherstone reflects on her three decades of research into domestic abuse and child protection and why she feels social work needs to become more poverty aware.
08/05/2024: Invest £50mn in evaluating child domestic abuse support, ministers urged
The government is being urged to invest £50mn in evaluating support for child victims of domestic abuse as Foundations warns that more children could experience abuse than start primary school this year.
Health and Wellbeing
Elearning
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Podcasts
Adolescent Social Anxiety Symptoms and their relationship with Suicidal Ideation and Depressive SymptomsOverview of the paper, methodology, key findings, and implications for practice
Child mental healthMental health first aid kits
NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode about the use of mental health first aid kits to help young people manage their mental health if they are struggling. The episode features a discussion with a practitioner in the Childline Online Services team and members of the NSPCC’s Young People’s Board for Change, covering: what a mental health first aid kit is and what it is useful for; recognising when a young person would benefit from using one; and supporting a young person with the creation of their kit.
Video
Websites
ChildlineOnline and telephone support helpline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. Get help and advice about a wide range of issues, call us on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Coram Life EducationUK’s leading charity provider of PSHE education
Coram Life Education is the leading charity provider of relationships, health, wellbeing, and drugs education to children across the UK. Coram Life Education & SCARF offers a whole-school approach to wellbeing and Mental Health. Our PSHE education supports over 50,000 teachers and reaches over 600,000 pupils every year.
Fully HumanFully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.
Fully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association. It’s our place to think, stretch out and join the dots between this fast changing world and what might best support children and young people to navigate it.
The MixThe UK’s leading support service for young people
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Documents
Puberty and learning disabilitiesA guide for parents and carers of children and young people who have learning disabilities
Author:
Published: 27-11-2024
NSPCC Learning has designed a booklet on navigating puberty to share with parents and carers of children and young people who have learning disabilities. The guide sets out: what puberty is; changes that happen to everyone during puberty; and top tips to support children through the physical and emotional challenges that puberty brings.
Classroom Resources
Anti-racism and mental health in schools resources
Experiencing racism has significant mental health consequences for young people. That’s why all schools need to consider anti-racism as part of their whole-school approach to mental health.
Category: Bullying, Diversity, Wellbeing
Audience: KS2, KS3, KS4
Developed by: Anna Freud
Duration (minutes):
Keywords:
This set of 10 resources is designed around our 5 Steps framework, which supports educators to create a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. There are resources for reviewing and writing policies, improving staff knowledge and confidence, and supporting students and staff who experience racism. The resources can be worked through as a full set, but they can also be used individually, depending on which areas are current priorities for your school.
Bullying
Learning about different types of bullying (including online) is now a statutory RSHE requirement.
Category: Bullying
Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, Staff
Developed by: PSHE Association
Duration (minutes): 30-60
Keywords: bullying, kindness
This includes the impact of bullying, responsibilities of bystanders to report bullying and how and where to get help. This also crosses over with how you can teach about abuse, harassment and discrimination within your PSHE education curriculum. Read our guidance on addressing sexual harassment through PSHE and scroll down to see relevant resources and lesson plans.
STAR SEND Toolkit
An online safety teaching toolkit for educators to deliver with young people aged 11-16 with special educational needs and disabilities.
Category: Bullying, Online Safety
Audience: SEND
Developed by: Childnet
Duration (minutes): 60+
Keywords: Safe, Trust, Action, Respect, Friendship, Cyberbullying
An extensive teaching toolkit to equip, enable and empower educators with the relevant knowledge they need to support young people with special educational needs and disability (SEND).
News
19/06/2025: Barrier lifted to care leaver social housing from next month
“Unfair barriers” to social housing for care leavers are to be lifted within weeks, the government has confirmed.
10/06/2025: Child neglect concerns the number one reason for adults reaching out to our Helpline
We’re calling for neglect to be considered a ‘national emergency’ as well as a new amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to introduce a national neglect strategy.
05/06/2025: Greater awareness behind ADHD surge, study suggests
ADHD is not becoming more common despite the surge in people in people asking for help, research suggests.
23/05/2025: ‘I’ve applied for hundreds of jobs’: One in eight youths not in work or education
“I’ve applied for factories, care work, hospital work – anything to just get a job to support me and my son,” says 20-year-old mum Libby.
21/05/2025: Health providers call on government to prioritise young people
Health providers are urging ministers to ensure children’s health is a priority in its forthcoming NHS Plan and Comprehensive Spending Review and to build on good practice already taking place to support young people.
16/05/2025: DfE unveils more funding for mental health in schools teams
The Department for Education has announced a funding boost of up to £49 million to provide 900,000 more pupils with mental health support in school this year.
14/05/2025: Free breakfast clubs open at Cornwall schools
The launch of government-funded free breakfast clubs has more than doubled attendance before lessons at a group of five primary schools in Cornwall, school leaders say.
14/05/2025: More than 150 organisations call for action to end youth homelessness
A collective of more than 150 organisations supporting young people experiencing homelessness staged a protest outside parliament this week calling on the government to do more to tackle the issue.
05/05/2025: Youth project aims to inspire boys and young men
A grassroots initiative in West Yorkshire aims to empower boys and young men by helping to create more safe spaces for them, its organisers have said.