Safeguarding Bulletin - 26 November 2025
Working together? Barriers to effective safeguarding following reports of child-on-child sexual assault
Recent media reports on the rise of child-on-child sexual assaults will have come as no surprise to those working in education safeguarding. To the public, the figures appear shocking, but to professionals they are proof that what they are seeing in their settings is not an aberration, but rather part of a nationwide trend. Alex Wilson is Head of Pastoral Care and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Bright Outcomes. Alex’s research focuses on child-on-child sexual harm and improving multi-agency responses in schools. In our latest blog, she shares some of her recent research findings.
Staff wellbeing across the education sector drops to its lowest since 2019
Education Support, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff, has released its ninth Teacher Wellbeing Index (TWIX 2025). The charity issues an urgent call for Government action to deliver a retention strategy with staff wellbeing at its heart. Without this, more teachers will leave the profession, and more children and young people’s education will suffer. They warn that teacher wellbeing and pupil outcomes are inseparable. While educators are unwell, the quality of learning and the stability of the entire system remain at risk.
Free Webinar – 2 December: School Wellbeing and Attendance: Creating a Compassionate and Child-Centre Approach
In partnership with EdPsychEd, authors of the Emotionally Based School Avoidance blog series Dr Jerricah Holder will share her ‘Integrated Model of EBSA’ enabling Designated Safeguarding Leads to develop a greater understanding of the complex and often multi-faceted aspects of school avoidance behaviours. The child and family perspective will be integrated throughout, with videos of children and parents sharing their journey.
AI-generated child sexual abuse material
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced plans to change the law to help tackle AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Tabled as an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, designated bodies like the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), as well as AI developers and other child protection organisations, will be empowered to scrutinise AI models and ensure safeguards are in place to prevent them generating or proliferating child sexual abuse material.
Free webinar - 2 December: Safeguarding insights on the new Ofsted inspection framework
If you missed our series of webinars on the new inspection framework, there is one last chance to attend with our final webinar, in conjunction with CPOMS. Safeguarding remains core to the practice and support for children and young people within education and their communities. The new Ofsted inspection toolkit gives clarity around expectations. With the launch of the new framework this webinar will give you the opportunity to think about on your current practice set against the new safeguarding criteria; review the requirements of the new framework and note areas of focus.
Early Threat Identification Notice for Safeguarding Professionals
The National Crime Agency has partnered with National Police Chiefs' Council and Counter Terrorism Policing to issue an early threat identification notice to inform safeguarding professionals about harmful online groups, referred to as 'Com groups'. The notice aims to develop understanding and raise awareness of the threat, as well as ensuring safeguarding professionals are prepared to respond effectively should they identify any indicators of a young person's involvement, interest or victimisation. Should this threat evolve, the NCA will issue further guidance.
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