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)

Screenshot

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

Are children experiencing domestic abuse a vulnerable group?
A Handbook for Schools

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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

Browser: Link

Apple Podcasts: Link

Google Play:

Spotify: Link

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

Browser: Link

Apple Podcasts:

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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

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Spotify: Link

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.

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Apple Podcasts: Link

Google Play: Link

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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

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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.

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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

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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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

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.

Change 4U (Cornwall)Changing behaviour and develop healthier relationship skills

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone: 0800 1111

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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.

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone:

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Facebook:

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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.

Website: Link

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Facebook:

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“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

Website: Link

Phone:

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Facebook:

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“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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone:

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Facebook: Link

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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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

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

Website: Link

Phone:

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Facebook:

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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

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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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

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)

PDF

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.”

PDF

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.

PDF

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

24/06/2025: Domestic abuse contacts to our Helpline reach record high

We’re reminding people to speak to our specially trained advisors if they are worried about a child.

NSPCC

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.

Children and Young People Now

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”.

BBC News

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.

Children and Young People Now

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.

Children and Young People Now

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.

BBC News

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.

Children and Young People Now

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.

Independent

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.

Community Care

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.

Community Care

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

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In this Papers Podcast, Dr. Kenny Chiu discusses his JCPP Advances paper ‘Social anxiety symptoms and their relationship with suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms in adolescents: A prospective study’ (https://doi.org/10.1002/jcv2.12249).

Child mental healthMental health first aid kits

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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

Website: Link

Phone: 0800 1111

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone: 020 7520 0364

LinkedIn: Link

Facebook:

YouTube: Link

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.

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

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.

PDF

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

08/07/2025: Children living in ‘Dickensian’ poverty, says commissioner

Some children are living in “Dickensian” levels of poverty, England’s children’s commissioner has said.

BBC News

06/07/2025: Nearly one in eight young women and girls have attempted suicide, figures show

Almost one in eight 16– to 24- year-old girls and women have attempted suicide, the most of any group, according to NHS figures.

Children and Young People Now

01/07/2025: Youth voices ‘critical’ to £5m employment plan

A new youth forum is being set up in a county where data shows economic inactivity among young people is at a record high.

BBC News

30/06/2025: Group helps young people get into fishing industry

A new Devon community interest company (CIC) is hoping to help with the future of the fishing industry by bringing in new recruits.

BBC News

30/06/2025: ‘Family breakdown’ behind 25% rise in young rough sleepers

The number of young people sleeping rough in London has soared by 25% in the last year and by nearly 70% in five years, according to official data.

Children and Young People Now

27/06/2025: ‘I don’t think my brain should have gone through that’: five young people on their experience of smartphones as teens

What do people who got – and one who didn’t get – internet-connected phones in their adolescence actually think about the impact they had on them?

Guardian

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.

Children and Young People Now

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.

NSPCC

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.

BBC News

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.

BBC News

Vaping

Vaping

In recent years, smoking by young people has been steadily declining, but the production of Vapes is largely replacing traditional smoking with young people. To a greater degree, it is less regulated and is more easily available from multiple shopping outlets as well as online. Vaping is new and so far the impact on people’s health is still being determined, but despite that lack of knowledge there are some shocking concerns. With the lack of regulation, particularly in the online environment, the content of vapes varies massively and can contain illegal substances. An example of this can be taken from a recent operation in Devon and Cornwall where vapes taken from students were found to contain illegal substances.

So one of the greatest concerns we have for young people is that we know they don’t know what is in their Vapes. Whilst they may be smoking with little disregard to the potential health impacts, we need to be educating  and creating safe environments for them.

Latest News

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.

BBC News

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.

BBC News

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.

Daily Mail

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.

Gov.UK

10/02/2025: Wales: Children starting secondary school as vape addicts

Children are starting secondary school already addicted to vaping, a Welsh government minister has said.

BBC News

01/02/2025: Top supermarkets running ‘prohibited’ tobacco ads

Sainsbury’s and Morrisons are displaying adverts for tobacco products in their stores which Trading Standards says are against the law.

BBC News

06/11/2024: What is the UK smoking ban and how many people still smoke?

It will be illegal for anyone currently aged 15 or under to ever buy cigarettes in the UK, under new laws proposed by the government.

BBC News

24/10/2024: Disposable vapes to be banned from June

The sale of single-use disposable vapes will be banned in England and Wales from June next year, the government has confirmed.

BBC News

09/09/2024: Fitness of youngsters who vape ‘is just as bad as smokers of same age’, study reveals

Young vapers perform worse in exercises than their peers who do not use e-cigarettes and record performances similar to smokers the same age, according to a study.

Daily Mail

02/08/2024: Sex abuser used vapes to groom 14-year-old girl

A 14-year-old girl has told the BBC she was sexually abused by an older man who groomed her by posing as a teenager offering to buy her vapes.

BBC

ASH guidance on developing school policies on vaping

ASH have produced information to support schools in creating a robust policy around vapes in schools including questions to ask to inform wider school policies and ethos

  • Do staff know what they would do if children in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 are found to be smoking or vaping?
  • Would policy change for children of different ages?
  • Is there a range of sanctions to reflect severity?
  • Do your policies support students if vaping is being used to stop smoking?
  • How do you support children who smoke to stop?
  • Are you in touch with school nurses about these issues?
  • Do these policies align with a wider school ethos? If so, how?

The full document can be viewed here.

Addressing common myths about vaping: Putting the evidence in context

This short brief is to aid responsible reporting of the evidence about vaping and reduce:

  • Repetition of misconceptions as conventional wisdom;
  • Overstating the evidence, with caveats downplayed or missed out;
  • Presenting opinions as facts.

You can read the full document here.

If you are from a school, college, or are a safeguarding lead there are a range of resources developed by ‘Smoke Free Sheffield’ you may find useful including:

  • Two posters which can be displayed where students will see them, such as school toilets, classrooms, canteens, and noticeboards. Both digital and printed versions are available.
  • A short, animated film which can be used in PSHE lessons, form times and assemblies, to start discussions.
  • PowerPoint slides ready for use by teachers in the classroom alongside the animated film to guide discussions.
  • To back up the slides for classroom use is a more detailed slideset for teachers, providing additional information to support educators, answering questions and signposting to additional support.
  • An electronic leaflet designed for parents and carers giving more information about smoking and vaping.

Cannabis Edibles

What are Cannabis Edibles?

Edibles are food products that may contain cannabis. There are many forms of edibles, including sweets, gummies, and lollipops. They usually contain – or are marketed as containing – several chemicals, many of which are harmful and controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis and can make people feel a range of effects, while cannabidiol (CBD) is the non-psychoactive chemical compound which does not have the same effect. Any CBD product containing THC is illegal in the UK.

The sweet versions are widely available on the internet and via social media and may be easily accessed by young people. The packaging is often deliberately targeted to attract young people. There is NO quality control of these products.

What are the concerns about Cannabis Edibles?

The amount of cannabis in these products can vary greatly and sometimes other harmful drugs are added too. The effects of consuming edibles are unpredictable, and it can be very easy to accidentally take a larger dose. Edibles take between 1-3 hours to have an effect because food is absorbed into the bloodstream through the liver. Because it takes longer, the person taking them may end up consuming larger amounts of the drug while thinking the drug isn’t working. As edibles may look like other products, there is also the risk someone may ingest them without realising they contain drugs – this could include other children in the home.
Displayed side effects may include:
Paranoia, panic attacks, nausea, impaired mobility, hyperactivity, elevated heart rate, hallucinations.

What can you do?

We recommend monitoring food packaging/wrappers, looking for wording such as CBD or THC suggesting the items are cannabis oil infused. (See image right)

For the latest information on drug trends, visit the Frank news page.

Please be mindful of the medical needs should a child present with symptoms, or if you suspect they have consumed a drug-laced substance. In a medical emergency call 999.

Law

Any drug with THC in is classed as a class B under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971

If you are made aware of any social media accounts advertising these items, we ask you report this information to the police, school, or log your concerns anonymously using Crime Stoppers.
You can also report any incidents to us online: Devon and Cornwall Police.

Gambling

Gambling

The issue of gambling and young people is evident with an increase in media coverage as well as our own concerns. Whether  it be the addictive nature of loot boxes found in gaming aimed at some of our youngest individuals or also for young adults at university seeking a way out of debt and mounting tuition fees.

Gambling is a health issue. Its addictive qualities easily enthuse and capture individuals into a cycle of debt.

With online games, often initially free to the user, children are spending money through ‘micro transactions’ with a chance to get the thing they really feel they need. The more they spend, the greater opportunity they have. But of course these ‘loot boxes’ are not random and the gamer may never get hold of the thing they need. For students struggling in a time where jobs are less available and the cost of basic items are going up, gambling can feel an attractive option, particularly with their introductory offers of free bets or an amount of money to get you started.

Understanding the mechanics of gambling is essential for young people, particularly as it is so accessible. Even though micros transaction for loot boxes is not  considered gambling by law, they utilise the same temptations of gambling… the chance to win.

Latest News

30/01/2025: Call for age restrictions on video game loot boxes

More regulation is needed to limit gambling-like practices in video games, researchers have warned.

BBC News

17/12/2024: Illegal casinos are using Roblox to draw children into online gambling

A Sky News investigation has found a network of illegal casinos allowing children to gamble using their accounts on the hugely popular children’s game Roblox. In response to our investigation, the Gambling Commission has taken action against the “criminal” websites.

Sky News

07/11/2024: Proportion of children in Great Britain with gambling problem has doubled, data reveals

Gambling Commission figures show shock rise to 85,000 in number of young people suffering gambling harms.

Guardian

01/09/2024: Dangerous play: how online gaming purchases led an Australian youth into a secret gambling addiction

Matthew’s father had no idea his son was even gambling, let alone deep in debt, until he got a terrifying phone call.

Guardian

21/04/2024: UK children bombarded by gambling ads and images online, charity warns

Young people feel their internet activity is overwhelmed by betting promotions and similar content, says GambleAware.

Guardian

Elearning

Gambling Awareness for Professionals18+ only

Provider: Gamcare

published: Free

Gambling awareness course for professionals, volunteers and frontline staff. This course looks at what gambling is, how to identify someone affected by gambling harm as well as the risks, hidden harms and gambling support services available. 18+ only

Gambling Awareness for Young PeopleFor 11-19

Provider: GamCare

published: Free

Gambling awareness course for young people aged 11-19 years old (content aimed at Key Stages 4 and 5 – but available to all ages). This course looks at different types of gambling activities and the law, what problem gambling looks like and how to spot the signs and how to stay safe when gambling.

Understanding and responding to gambling harmsUnderstanding and responding to gambling harms

Provider: Royal Society for Public Health

published: Free

Our free online course, Understanding and responding to gambling harms: A brief guide for professionals, will teach you about gambling disorders and how to support someone affected by gambling harms.

Podcasts

Reducing the odds of gambling harm through PSHEGuidance for teachers

Browser: Link

Apple Podcasts: Link

Google Play: Link

Spotify:

PSHE Association Subject Specialists Anne Bell and Sally Martin are joined by Dr Elly Hanson — an independent clinical psychologist — to explore current trends regarding gambling harms and young people, and offer insight into how schools and teachers can cover this topic effectively through PSHE.

Video

Websites

Be Gamble AwareSupport and advice

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube:

When playing online gambling games, it’s easy to lose track of time and money and get lost in the game. Check out our advice and support to stay in control of your gambling.

Big Deal?For young people

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

BigDeal is a place for young people to find information and support related to gambling, either for themselves or for someone they care about. Includes a support helpline.

ChildlineOnline and telephone support helpline

Website: Link

Phone: 0800 1111

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube:

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.

The MixThe UK’s leading support service for young people

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

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.

YGAM Parent HubAdvice for parents

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

Whilst the majority of gambling activities are for over 18’s it is still important to educate your children around gambling activities including Informing parents around gambling activities and legislation, educating parents on gambling influences and the effects of gambling and safeguarding their children by holding conversations with their child and identifying potential harms.

YGAM Student HubFor students

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

Welcome to YGAM University and Student Page. This is a page to help you find out more about gaming and gambling and the support available to you if you’re worried about yourself or someone else.

Documents

“Surviving, not living”: Lived experiences of crime and gamblingThe report of the Commission on Crime and Gambling Related Harms

Author: Commission on Crime & Gambling Related Harms

Published: 01-01-2023

This report outlines the lived experiences of people in England and Wales who have experienced gambling harms (otherwise referred to as ‘problem gambling’) and have committed gambling-related crime. The research has provided a greater understanding of how gambling harms can be understood, the impact of gambling harms and
the specific experiences of the criminal justice journey.

PDF

How to address gambling through PSHEPSHE Association: One-page briefings

Author: PSHE Association

Published: 01-01-2023

This set of four one-page briefings from the PSHE Association in partnership with GambleAware covers a selection of key content from the teacher handbook under the headings of: Considerations for visitors when working with schools; Considerations when working with gambling education visitors; Why deliver education around gambling?; What is effective gambling education?

PDF

Classroom Resources

Exploring risk in relation to gambling

In partnership with the PSHE Association

Category: Gambling

Audience: KS2

Developed by: PSHE Association/Gamble Aware

Duration (minutes): 60

Keywords: gamble, online, risk, scenarios

GambleAware supports other organisations to develop and produce materials for teachers and youth workers to help young people understand more about the risks of gambling. These are regularly reviewed to ensure we achieve maximum impact and social benefit. Previous materials are available to view on this page.

YGAM Teaching resources

Accessible to teachers and youth facing professionals who have completed the City & Guilds Assured training with Ygam.

Category: Gambling

Audience: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Developed by: YGAM

Duration (minutes): 30+ – 60+

Keywords: gambling, gaming

Teaching materials mapped to curriculum from KS2- KS5/Post 16
Youth work materials
Group activities
1-1 resources and activities

Please note that all resources are intended for use by you the trained professional within your school/setting. They should not be used for commercial gain and should not be shared.

Classroom Resources
Ygam Resources are accessible to teachers and youth facing professionals who have completed the City & Guilds Assured training with Ygam.

You will find here:

  • Teaching materials mapped to curriculum from KS2- KS5/Post 16
  • Youth work materials
  • Group activities
  • 1-1 resources and activities

Please note that all resources are intended for use by you the trained professional within your school/setting.

Work Experience Online

Work Experience Online

Welcome to our online experience programme. On this site you can find out about various roles in the police service and take part in some interactive activities. Once you have tried all that, you can complete our ‘knowledge check’ quiz to see how much you remember!

Hate Crime

Hate Crime

“Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:

  • disability
  • race or ethnicity
  • religion or belief
  • sexual orientation
  • transgender identity

This can be committed against a person or property.

A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.”

True Vision

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.

Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH)

Since 1985 EACH has endeavoured to make a positive impact upon the lives of LGBT+ adults and children

Category: Diversity

Audience: KS2, KS3, KS4

Developed by: EACH

Duration (minutes):

Keywords:

From primary to secondary schools, colleges and universities, from rural to urban and in faith or secular settings, EACH’s training is effective across the whole range of institutions – creating a safe and equal learning environment for all. EACH’s training provides expert assistance to primary and secondary schools, academies, colleges, universities and local authorities: building capacity to affirm the lives of LGBT+ people and inspire confidence in staff to support them.

Stand Up! Education

An anti-discrimination interfaith project

Category: Diversity

Audience: KS3, KS4

Developed by: Stand Up! against Discrimination

Duration (minutes): Variable

Keywords:

Stand Up! delivers educational workshops, lectures and interactive programmes to students aged 12-18. Facilitators offer a fluid approach to adapting sessions, always aiming to meet students’ specific needs and the school’s social and cultural context. Each workshop is age appropriate and all workshops are offered free of charge.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Working with children from the age of 7 to university students and adult learners.

Category: Diversity

Audience: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4

Developed by: The Sophie Lancaster Foundation

Duration (minutes): Variable

Keywords: hate, diversity

Sophie Lancaster was a young woman who was murdered for being different. She and her boyfriend were creative, artistic people who dressed in their own unique way. They were attacked by a gang of five boys in a park in Bacup, Lancashire on 11 August 2007. Education is central to the mission of the Foundation, and they work with children from the age of 7 to university students and adult learners. The team delivers workshops and presentations, takes part in discussion groups and Question & Answer sessions, and attends events at a huge range of settings, across the UK and internationally.

True Vision has been developed so that you can report hate crimes online – you do not have to visit a police station to report.

The police take hate crime very seriously and will record and investigate this offence even if you do not want to give your details.  However, you must note that the investigation and ability to prosecute the offender(s) is severely limited if the police cannot contact you. Most importantly we can not get you the support you may need.

Elearning

Training for Educational Settings: Schools, Colleges and UniversitiesTraining Courses for Educators

Provider: Stop Hate UK

published:

Young people are living in a world that is increasingly diverse, recognises various identities and can sometimes be challenging towards differences that can lead to hateful and harmful behaviour and affect their lives deeply.
Our training addresses topics such as prejudice, discrimination, hate crime, online hate, fake news, exploring inclusion and diversity framed around critical thinking skills.
We work with young people in all settings and deliver content to meet their needs

Podcasts

No Entries Found

Video

Websites

Ethnicity and young people’s health inequalitiesRace Equality Council

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

Research has found that ethnic minority groups generally have poorer health outcomes compared to the overall population. Yet there is less information available specifically about health inequalities among young people from these groups. As part of our health inequalities policy programme we worked with the Race Equality Foundation to get a clear picture of their experiences.

FFlagSupporting families and their LGBT+ loved ones

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube:

FFLAG is a national voluntary organisation and registered charity. We are dedicated to supporting parents and families and their LGBT+ members. They offer support to local parents groups and contacts in their efforts to help parents and families understand, accept and support their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members with love and pride. FFLAG volunteers are parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans children supported by other volunteers.

Fully HumanFully Human is the research and development arm of the PSHE Association.

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

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.

Our Proud TrustAdvice and Guidance

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook: Link

YouTube: Link

On these pages you will find some helpful information covering a range of different things such as coming out, faith and religion, and staying safe. You’ll also find stories and experiences from other LGBT+ people in the “People like me” section.

The Be You ProjectPorchlight / NHS

Website: Link

Phone:

LinkedIn:

Facebook:

YouTube:

The BeYou team are here to support you. We offer a safe, welcoming and inclusive space where LGBTQ+ young people can meet, socialise and find the support they need. Everyone is welcome whether you’re lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning your sexual or gender identity, or you know someone who may need support or advice.

Documents

No Entries Found

News

06/07/2025: People with learning disabilities meet 999 crews

Adults with learning disabilities have been encouraged to ask emergency services for help when they need it at a special event.

BBC News

06/07/2025: Nearly one in eight young women and girls have attempted suicide, figures show

Almost one in eight 16– to 24- year-old girls and women have attempted suicide, the most of any group, according to NHS figures.

Children and Young People Now

27/06/2025: Black children arrested in London ‘15% more likely to be criminalised’ than white children

Report finds black offenders less likely to receive mentoring to help them avoid getting criminal record at early age

Guardian

24/06/2025: Schoolchildren showcase anti-hate projects

High school pupils have been presenting creative projects inspired by Holocaust education and aimed at tackling prejudice and discrimination.

BBC News

01/06/2025: Black and mixed heritage young offenders ‘given harsher penalties’

Black and mixed heritage children are being handed tougher penalties than their white peers, even when they have committed the same offences, researchers are warning.

Children and Young People Now

22/05/2025: Slight improvements in racial diversity and more consistent retention in DCS role, ADCS reports

Fewer local authorities experienced a change in director of children’s services last year, according to The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS), 2025 DCS update.

Children and Young People Now

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.

BBC News

22/04/2025: Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel report provides recommendations for safeguarding children from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel has published its report following its thematic review of a sample of safeguarding reviews in relation to Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage children.

Youth Justice Legal Centre

16/04/2025: Disabled children wait ‘over a year’ for social care assessments

Research has found that almost one in five parents of children with disabilities are facing a wait of more than 12 months to receive their legal entitlement of a social worker assessment.

Children and Young People Now

04/04/2025: Tool supports youth workers to tackle gender-based violence

A new toolkit is supporting youth workers in Wales to address gender-based violence, touching on some of the themes in the high-profile TV drama ‘Adolescence’.

Children and Young People Now

Stop and Search

What is Stop and Search?

The police have the power to stop and search to protect members of the community. We know being stop and searched can be a scary or annoying process but remember it is an important tool the police have to keep us safe. Remember, stay calm and polite and if you are in doubt of anything that is happening, ask questions.

Being stopped and searched is not the same as being arrested and is not a criminal record, nor something which you need to tell an employer or anyone else about unless you want to. While a record of the search is kept that is not a criminal record and your details are not put on the local or national police systems as any sort of suspect or criminal.

What you can expect?

The officer will tell you their surname and the police station they work at. If they are not in uniform, they must show you their identification.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) must be in uniform.

They will tell you what they expect to find. For example, drugs or a weapon.

They will tell you why they are searching you. For example, you match the description of an offender. This cannot be just because of your race age or gender.

The officer will tell you they are legally allowed to search you and they will provide you with a record of the stop and search.

Removing clothing: police powers

In a public place a police officer can ask you to take off your coat, jacket or gloves.

The police can ask you to take off other clothes including anything you’re wearing for religious reasons – eg a veil or turban. If they do, they must take you somewhere private, out of public view.

If the officer wants to remove more than a jacket and gloves they must be the same sex as you.

If you are stopped you should record the details of the officers and what happened:

  • Time and date
  • Officer’s surname and badge number
  • Where were you stopped?
  • What happened?

What can I do if I am unhappy about being Stop and searched?

If you were not happy with why you were stopped and searched or if you were not happy with the way in which you were treated during being stopped and searched you can make a complaint.

This can be done by contacting your police force directly.

Find out more…

The Mix website has more information about Stop and Search and other articles about crime and safety. Click on the image to go to their site.