Community Care has published an article on the provision of advocacy support for parents involved in child protection processes in England. The article discusses research findings on parents’ experiences of the child protection system exploring issues such as the ‘trauma’ of child protection conferences; fear and mistrust of professionals; and parental exclusion and disengagement. The article calls for every parent to be given the opportunity to engage with advocacy services before a child protection conference takes place.

Read the article: ‘Why parents in the child protection system need advocacy’

Source: Community Care 

The Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre has published research on the internal trafficking and exploitation of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in England and Wales. The research involved interviews with parents/carers of children with SEND who had experienced exploitation; multi-agency focus groups in local authorities; and analysis of relevant law, policy and guidance. Findings highlight: little recognition in national safeguarding or modern slavery policy of the increased vulnerability and risk of being exploited for children and young people with SEND; missed opportunities for early intervention and disrupting patterns of exploitation; and the importance of engagement with education services in keeping children with SEND safe from exploitation.

Read the report: Gaps in policies and services put children with SEND at risk of exploitation 

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has published an update report on AI-generated child sexual abuse material (AI CSAM) looking at changes in the landscape since its first report in October 2023. Findings show: over 3,500 new AI-generated criminal child sexual abuse images have been uploaded on to the same dark web forum as previously analysed in October 2023; there has been an increase in the proportion of AI-generated images confirmed to be child sexual abuse on the forum which depict the most severe Category A abuse; and AI-generated child sexual abuse videos, primarily deepfakes, have started circulating. New recommendations ask that the Government legislates to ensure ‘nudifying’ technology is not available to UK based users.

Read the report: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the production of child sexual abuse imagery  

Barnardo’s and the Centre to End all Sexual Exploitation (Cease) have written an open letter to the next government on the harms of online pornography on children and young people. The letter calls for: legislation ensuring pornographic content is regulated online the same way that it is offline; the robust implementation of age assurance measures; and a commitment to continuing the Independent Pornography Review.

Read the letter: Charities and experts call on next Government to tackle harms caused by online pornography  

The National Children’s Bureau has published a blog post for schools and youth organisations on distinguishing between banter and bullying. The blog discusses: recognising when banter is appropriate; empowering young people to set personal boundaries; and implementing a school-wide approach.

Read the blog: “But Miss, it was only banter…” How do we equip children with the skills to understand when banter has gone too far?  

The Promise Scotland has launched a new website, Plan 24-30, setting out a six-year plan to address findings from the Independent Care Review. The plan sets out action and changes required in Scotland to ensure that ‘The promise’ made to care experienced children and families that all children will grow up loved, safe and respected, is kept. Plan 24-30 aims to help organisations devise and align their plans; facilitate cooperation; and offer new ways to allocate resources.

Find out more: Plan 24-30 is a dynamic plan of action  
Visit the website: Plan 24-30

The Department for Education (DfE) has published statistics on children in secure children’s homes in England and Wales. New data shows the number of children accommodated in secure children’s homes on 31 March 2024 was up 12% from the previous year, from 139 to 156.

Access the statistics: Children accommodated in secure children’s homes

The draft of Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 does not contain major systemic changes – these have been deferred to next year and the Government began a call for evidence on safeguarding in schools and collegeswhich is planned to close on 20^th June 2024.

Ministers decided this year’s guidance should contain only “technical changes… with a view to providing a more substantively updated document, encompassing wider changes, to be delivered in 2025″.

Join our members area to get access to the KCSiE Summary of changes

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued an alert to schools across the UK about financially motivated sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’. This type of blackmail involves a person being forced into paying money or meeting another financial demand, following a threat to release nude or semi-nude photos of them. The alert explains how to spot signs of this type of abuse and support affected children. Guidance is also included to share with parents and carers.

Read the news story: NCA issues urgent warning about ‘sextortion’
Download the alert: Financially motivated sexual extortion: an alert for education settings

The DFE has set up a consultation on the updated relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance.

We’d like to hear from teachers, school leaders, stakeholders and parents.

Closes 11th July 2024 – Click here for further details