Welcome to the latest safeguarding bulletin, packed with relevant, engaging and interesting information. If you have any questions or wish to share a concern, please do not hesitate to contact the Safeguarding team: 

Allison Collis Designated Safeguarding Lead 07741 743 618 

Janine Ridley Deputy safeguarding lead and Pastoral support 07771 672491

 

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility 

 

Warning

For some people, the information within this bulletin maybe difficult to read and may result in emotions, memories or experiences which are hard to manage. If at any point, for any reason, you find reading this difficult, please do speak to someone you trust. That maybe your tutor, your manager, or a member of the safeguarding team.

 

Used, exploited, controlled: County lines and young lives

What is County Lines?
County Lines is a term used when gangs and criminal networks exploit children and vulnerable adults to transport drugs from cities to smaller towns and rural areas. This often involves crossing police boundaries - hence the term “lines.”

How young people are affected
Children and young people are often:

• Groomed with gifts, money or attention, then threatened or manipulated into criminal activity
• Used to carry drugs, cash, or weapons - sometimes over long distances
• Exploited sexually or physically, or made to stay in ‘trap houses’ far from home
• Controlled by fear, violence, blackmail, or debt bondage

Many victims don’t realise they’re being exploited until it’s too late. They may think the gang is their ‘family’ or that they have no choice.

Signs someone might be involved 
Look out for:

• Going missing for days or weeks at a time
• Unexplained money, gifts, or new phones
• Changes in behaviour, secrecy, or isolation
• Travelling alone to unfamiliar areas
• Signs of assault or unexplained injuries

What employers should know

• Apprentices and young employees can be targeted, especially if they travel for work or have housing insecurity
• Know how to spot the signs and report concerns

What learners need to know

• If someone offers you money or protection in exchange for favours - it's exploitation, not friendship
• You are not alone. Help is available, and speaking up is the first step to getting support
• You can report concerns to a trusted adult, DSL, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously

Where to get help 

• Crimestoppers (anonymous) – 0800 555 111
• NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
• Fearless.org – Information and anonymous reporting for young people
• Local Safeguarding Team / DSL
• County Lines - National Crime Agency

If you’re worried about yourself or someone else—speak up.

 

Understanding the new UK guidance on trans and gender identity

What’s changing?
The UK government has recently introduced or proposed new guidance and legislation around transgender rights and gender identity. These changes aim to clarify the balance between individual rights, safeguarding, and legal definitions under existing laws such as the Equality Act 2010.

What the law currently says:

• The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on “gender reassignment”, a protected characteristic. This means trans people must not be unfairly treated in education, employment, or when accessing services
• There is no legal requirement for individuals to have undergone medical transition or hold a Gender Recognition Certificate to be protected under the Act

Recent government guidance and proposals

In schools (England):

• New government guidance says schools do not have to affirm a child’s new gender identity unless it is in the child’s best interests, considering age, and safeguarding
• Parental involvement is encouraged in decisions about name or pronoun changes for under 18s
• Single-sex spaces (e.g., changing rooms or sports) can remain biological sex-based where justified

In public services and the workplace:

• The government is reviewing the legal definition of "sex" in the Equality Act, which may change how single-sex spaces and services operate in relation to trans people
• This includes potential changes to how prisons, hospitals, and refuges accommodate trans individuals

Why is this happening? 
The government says the changes are about:

• Ensuring safeguarding and clarity in schools and services
• Protecting women’s rights and single-sex spaces
• Addressing what it sees as confusion around gender identity policies

However, critics argue that:

• The changes may cause distress or discrimination for trans and non-binary people
• They could reduce the support and inclusion trans young people feel, especially in education
• It risks politicising personal identity issues

What it means for you

• For learners: Your place of education must still treat everyone with respect and fairness. You have a right to learn in a safe, non-discriminatory environment
• For employees: Your workplace has a legal duty to prevent discrimination and provide reasonable support for all staff, including trans and gender-diverse people
• For everyone: These changes may affect how organisations approach pronouns, name changes, facilities, and safeguarding. Respect, dialogue, and understanding remain key

Key reminders 

• Respect people’s identities and lived experiences, even if you have different views
• If you are unsure about how to support someone, ask respectfully or seek advice from your organisation’s safeguarding or HR team
• If you feel you are being treated unfairly or discriminated against, speak to a manager, tutor, or designated safeguarding lead

 

PTSD - more than just a bad memory

Understanding PTSD: What you need to know
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as violence, abuse, serious accidents, or military combat.

Key signs of PTSD: 

• Flashbacks or nightmares
• Feeling constantly on edge
• Avoiding reminders of the trauma
• Emotional numbness or strong negative feelings

PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a serious condition that deserves support and understanding.

If you're struggling 
Help is available. Speak to your GP, a mental health professional, or the safeguarding or wellbeing team. 
With the right support, recovery is possible.

www.ptsd.org 

Useful contacts | Post-traumatic stress disorder | Mind - Mind

 

Stay safe this festival season: What you need to know about drink spiking 

With festival season just around the corner, it’s a great time to get excited about music, friends, and unforgettable experiences. But it’s also important to be aware of risks - drink spiking being one of them.

What is drink spiking? Drink spiking involves adding alcohol, drugs, or other substances to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. This can lead to confusion, memory loss, unconsciousness, or worse - and it’s a criminal offence.

Spiking can happen to anyone, regardless of gender. It may be done with harmful intent or as a so-called “prank,” but the consequences can be serious and even life-threatening.

How to spot the signs 
If you or a friend starts to feel strange after drinking - especially if it's out of proportion to the amount consumed - watch for signs like:

• Dizziness or confusion
• Blurred vision or slurred speech         
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sudden drowsiness or passing out
• Memory gaps

If something feels off, trust your instincts.

What you can do to stay safe 

1. Keep your drink in sight: Don’t leave it unattended—ever
2. Don’t accept drinks from strangers: Watch drinks being made or poured
3. Use drink covers or test kits: Reusable drink protectors and testing strips are small and easy to carry
4. Stick with your friends: Keep an eye on each other and have a check-in plan
5. Act fast if you’re worried: Tell security or bar staff immediately. If someone is unwell, call 999 and stay with them

If you've been spiked
It’s not your fault. Try to get to somewhere safe and report what has happened, get medical help, and talk to someone you trust. There is support available through the police, local safeguarding services, and specialist charities.

Festivals and going out should be fun, not frightening.
Being aware and looking out for one another helps everyone have a safer, more enjoyable time. Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the music! For concerns or support, speak to your organisation’s safeguarding lead or visit Drinkaware for more information or click on a link below:

Drink spiking and date rape drugs | Drinkaware

Spiking: factsheet - GOV.UK

Online safety 

What you need to know: the Online Safety Act 2023 (updated 2025)
The Online Safety Act 2023 is a law designed to protect children and adults online. It places legal responsibilities on websites, apps, and platforms that allow users to post or interact with content, including social media, messaging apps, search engines, forums, and more.

Stronger protections for children

• Platforms must stop children from seeing harmful or age-inappropriate content (e.g., pornography, content promoting self-harm or eating disorders)
• Age checks must be in place where needed
• Companies must assess risks to children and offer age-appropriate experiences
• By 24 July 2025, in-scope services must complete risk assessments to protect children from harmful content
• Safer online experience for adults
• Platforms must be clear about what potentially harmful content they allow
• Users will get tools to filter or block content that may be harmful but not illegal (e.g., abuse, hate content)
• Users will have better ways to report problems and control what they see

Criminal offences now in effect 
New offences include:

• Encouraging serious self-harm
• Cyberflashing
• False communications causing harm
• Intimate image abuse
• Threatening communications
• Epilepsy trolling 

(Convictions under these laws have already taken place)

What platforms must now do 

• Remove illegal content such as:
  • Child sexual abuse, terrorism, fraud, hate speech, and sexual exploitation
• Prevent this content from appearing in the first place
• Apply robust age-checks for online pornography
• Follow Ofcom’s codes of practice (the UK’s online safety regulator)

Categorised services 
Larger plaforms (Category 1) will have extra duties, such as:

• Offering tools to help adults control what they see
• Enforcing their own rules fairly and transparently
• Allowing users to report issues and seek redress

 

 

Terrorism and National Emergencies

Current Threat levels in the UK

There are 5 levels of threat:

• Low - an attack is highly unlikely
• Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
• Substantial - an attack is likely
• Severe - an attack is highly likely
• Critical - an attack is highly likely in the near future

The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5).

The Threat Level for the UK currently is at SUBSTANTIAL.

 

Get involved and be part of the solution:
Our Vision — The Resilience in Unity Project

 

Local news

Horror neo-Nazi plot for UK's first-ever 3D printer terror attack thwarted | UK | News | Express.co.uk

Schools need more lessons on violence against women and girls, charity says | ITV News

West Yorkshire:
Extreme right-wing group convicted of planning terrorist attack in West Yorkshire | Counter Terrorism Policing West Yorkshire

Liverpool:
Four jailed for sharing terrorism propaganda and supporting terrorist funding activities | Counter Terrorism Policing

 

If you suspect terrorism-related activity or extremist involvement, it's crucial to act responsibly.  Here’s what you should do:

Immediate danger

• If you believe an attack is imminent or there is an immediate threat, call 999 (or your local emergency number) immediately

Suspicious activity (not immediate danger)

• Report to Prevent Lead (Allison Collis) 07741 743618
• Report to the Police
  • In the UK, you can report online via Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) or call the anti-terrorist hotline at 0800 789 321

Anonymous reporting

• You can report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) if you are uncomfortable disclosing your identity

 

July edition

• Grief and Bereavement – what you need to know
• Malala Day – and international human rights
• Suicidal awareness
• Turning self-neglect into self-care