The Safeguarding in Education Team recognises the emotional and personal impact global events can have on our local communities — including our children, families, and school staff. In times of international conflict, our schools play a vital role in fostering understanding, compassion, and safety for all.
Local leaders from both Indian and Pakistani backgrounds in Bristol have been working together to emphasise peace and solidarity, echoing the values we seek to uphold in our education settings.
On Sunday 11 May, members of the two communities gathered on Stapleton Road in Easton for a public event promoting peace and friendship. Organised by community leader Mubashar Chaudhry, the gathering featured poetry, public statements, and reflections from faith and community representatives. Among those who spoke were Cllr Tom Aditya, Chairman of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum, and local poet Shahid Awan, who reminded attendees that “there is no room for hate in our society.” Read more here on Bristol 24/7.
A few days earlier, on Wednesday 7 May, Easton Jamia Mosque hosted a multi-faith meeting led by the International Human Rights Movement. Local councillors and community leaders, including Cllr Abdul Malik, gathered in a spirit of solidarity, urging all residents not to let international disputes cause division at home.
As a city, Bristol has long been proud of its rich diversity and strong community spirit. At a time when international events can raise tensions or anxieties, it is especially important that children and young people feel safe, respected, and included, regardless of their background or heritage.
We echo the calls from Bristol’s community leaders and encourage all educational settings to continue:
Promoting respectful dialogue and understanding.
Creating safe spaces for children and young people to express their feelings.
Challenging all forms of prejudice or discrimination, including anti-South Asian hate.
Offering support to pupils and families who may be affected by events overseas.
We also invite all members of the education community – staff, students and families – to stand in solidarity with one another, and to join in reflection or prayer according to their own beliefs, for peace in the region and harmony here in our city.
Now more than ever, our shared humanity and commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of every child must remain at the heart of what we do.
If your school or setting requires guidance or support in handling conversations around global conflict or in supporting affected pupils, please contact the Safeguarding in Education Team.
Many of you have already identified incidents and vulnerability within your communities.
In most cases, you will be presented with children and their families who are experiencing trauma either directly and/or by proxy. We have a statutory duty to safeguard children and take appropriate and proportionate steps to provide a trauma informed approach to interventions. Here are a few resources that could support your safeguarding response.
Information Literacy, the PSHE Association are a reputable source and have good lesson plans/resources on:
For individual children where bespoke work could be considered:
You may need to be prepared for potential incidents of prejudice based bullying and or if a crime has been committed, a hate crime. It is important that you ensure that proportionate interventions are put in place in line with your setting’s response for children who harm other children. We would ask that you consider the following under your safeguarding duties:
Some settings may want to take action to support those who are directly affected by the conflict. Here are a couple of links that may support you:
If you need further advice and guidance feel free to speak to your School Safeguarding Advisor - https://www.bristolsafeguardingineducation.org/local-safeguarding-services/safeguarding-in-education-team/
Equally if you need support with public relations - please email newsdesk@bristol.gov.uk