Following the publication of KCSIE 2026, we have updated our Model Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy to reflect the final revisions.
The new and amended content is highlighted in green to help you quickly identify the changes that may require action in your setting.
We have also produced a clarification slide for use alongside our annual safeguarding update training.
Welcome back to the new academic year!
We hope you all managed to find some time to rest, reset and enjoy a lot of sunshine — or at least a decent cup of tea while attempting to ignore your inbox. As schools, colleges and settings come back to life, we want to wish you a positive start to the year ahead. Please feel free to share this newsletter with colleagues and encourage them to sign up to our mailing list.
In this edition...
In preparation for the start of the new academic year, this update is intended to provide education settings with the latest Health Protection updates.
Please feel free to use information in this email in your own communications as appropriate.
We intend on sending these short updates at the beginning of each Autumn, Spring and Summer term.
You are invited to a Gambling Harms Prevention in Children & Young People webinar (Bristol) on 20th October, 9:30-11am.
Click here to register: Bristol's Children and Young People's Gambling Harms Prevention Webinar Tickets, Tuesday, October 20 • 9:30 AM - 11 AM | Eventbrite
Become a relationship and consent champion for SEND young people with Split Banana's year-long, in-person Leadership Programme. It's a space to find community and gain practical, shame-free tools for 'tricky' topics like digital intimacy, consent and power dynamics, tailored for autistic, consent and power dynamics, tailored for autistic young people and those with learning disabilities.
Find out more via the brochure and apply here.
The “Stay Safe, Stay Aware: Year 6 Conference”, is taking place on Wednesday 9th December 2026, at Bristol City Council, from 09:30 to 15:00.
This conference has been designed in partnership with the Young Council to provide Year 6 pupils with important knowledge and practical advice to help them stay safe as they prepare for the transition to secondary school.
More information will follow in the new academic year.
At this stage, we would appreciate if you could indicate whether your school would like to support this conference by attending this event by emailing: cseprevention@avonandsomerset.police.uk.
Talk About Trust is running a training session on how to speak to young people about cannabis. The session will help participants hold both preventative and harm-reduction conversations.
It will take place on Wednesday 29th July 2026, 4–5pm.
Please contact karen@talkabouttrust.org for more information.
The Department for Education Prevent Coordinator is delivering a one-off input on Prevent and neurodivergent learners on 24th June.
Click the link below to register:
Register for the event on 24th June
AI manipulation of images taken from school websites and social media platforms poses a safeguarding threat to children and young people.
In response to this vulnerability, vital image security guidance has been developed by the UK Online Harms Early Warning Working Group to:
raise awareness among education settings and organisations working with children and young people in the UK.
help them consider the responsible management, sharing and protection of children’s imagery on their online platforms.
offer a checklist of actions for staff to help them prepare, recognise and respond to incidents of image-based abuse.
How this guide helps
Most issues can be resolved quickly when you know who to speak to and what to expect.
This guide will support you to follow your school’s complaint procedure. Our goal is to keep the focus on your
child’s education while building positive, supportive partnerships between you and the school.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have advised the public not to use four non‑sterile, alcohol‑free wipes due to infection risk associated with their use.
We are pleased to highlight the launch of new national resources ahead of Young Carers Action Day 2026, taking place on Wednesday 11 March 2026. This annual awareness day, led by Carers Trust, shines a spotlight on the vital role of young carers and calls for stronger recognition, support, and opportunities to help them thrive.
This year’s theme, “Fair Futures for Young Carers,” focuses on ensuring that children and young people with caring responsibilities have equal chances to learn, grow and achieve their full potential. The campaign emphasises the need for improved support pathways in education, wellbeing, and personal development
Click on the News title to read more.
As the school term gets underway, we’d like to highlight valuable guidance from UKHSA on managing winter illnesses in education settings. Please share as appropriate.
You can read the full advice here: Back to school – 5 things to do to help manage winter illness.
Click here to read more.
Misogyny—whether subtle or overt—can harm young people’s wellbeing, shape attitudes, and limit aspirations. It is increasingly evident in both online spaces and classrooms, with many teachers reporting regular incidents of sexist language and behaviour.
As educators and parents, we have a shared responsibility to challenge these harmful norms and create environments that celebrate equality and respect. This page brings together practical strategies, expert advice, and creative approaches to help schools, colleges, and families address misogyny and promote gender equality.
Together, we can empower young people to think critically, value diversity, and stand against injustice.
Click here to read more and to find additional resources.
Anti-Bullying Week is an annual campaign that shines a spotlight on the importance of kindness, respect, and standing up against bullying. This year’s theme, Power for Good, encourages everyone—especially children—to use their influence positively in their relationships and communities. As trusted adults, we play a vital role in guiding and supporting young people to make safe, respectful choices.
We have been made aware of the recent incident at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Crumpsall, Manchester. We recognise the heightened levels of concern around protests and other planned activities which have an impact on the communities throughout Bristol. We want to share the correspondence from Department for Education as below. If you have any questions or require any assistance, please reach out to our team anytime at Safeguardingineducationteam@bristol.gov.uk
We have been made aware that there have been several posts circulating on social media from the Great British National Protest calling for people to take part in “opt out days.” These are also being shared by the Bristol Patriots account on social media.
We recognise the heightened levels of concern around protests and other planned activities which have an impact on the communities throughout Bristol. We want to reassure you that Bristol remains a City of Sanctuary, committed to welcoming and supporting people, particularly children, fleeing war and persecution. As a council we reaffirmed this commitment earlier this year, and our Sanctuary Strategy 2025 - 2030 will guide our work over the next five years.
Peaceful protest is a vital part of our democracy. However, we understand that these events may cause concern for you, your friends, your staff, and your families. If you have any concerns about any young people not attending your setting on the proposed opt out dates, please follow your setting’s usual attendance procedures and where appropriate follow your safeguarding procedures.
