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.
This summer holiday has seen a high number of strategy discussions and Initial Child Protection Conference (ICPC) requests. We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who responded to these requests, attended meetings where possible, or provided reports when attendance was not possible. Your involvement brings vital knowledge about children and families and helps partners work towards the best possible outcomes. As a small team, we could not have covered all of these meetings without your support. We recognise the commitment you show to safeguarding the children you work with and offer our heartfelt thanks. It really does make a huge difference.
In this edition...
Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption - reminder
The Disclosure and Barring Service has published a news story summarising changes to the legal definition of regulated activity with children and what this means in practice for criminal records checks. Due to changes set out in the Crime and Policing Act 2026, the definition of regulated activity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is to be expanded to include activity that was previously exempt where people were being supervised by someone in regulated activity. It is against the law for a barred person to engage in regulated activity or to allow a barred person to do regulated activity. From 1 September 2026, previously exempt roles will be eligible for a check of the Children’s Barred List.
Read the guidance for schools, colleges and childcare settings in England: Regulated activity: removal of the supervision exemption comes into force on 1 September 2026.
Split Banana Education C.I.C. is an award-winning social enterprise which gives young people the skills they need to build safe, respectful and joyful relationships across their lives.
The RSE Leadership Programme is for any professional in Bristol working with young people with SEND (ages 14–25), including:
It is designed for those who want to ensure every young person has the right access to inclusive, empowering and joyful education that supports their right, to a full and self-determined life of relationships and intimacy.
Each programme is limited to 12 participants. Applications close on Friday 23 October 2026.
Find out more via the brochure and apply here.
Aim of the webinar:
What to expect: The session will be interactive, with opportunities to discuss how risks from gaming and gambling harms may be relevant in different settings, and how partners can take collective action to protect children and young people.
Who is it for: Professionals who work with children and young people in education, community and health-related settings in Bristol. The focus is on children and young people aged 0–19, and up to 25 for young people with SEND.
We look forward to seeing you. Click here to register.
This event is being hosted by Bristol City Council in collaboration with Ara – Ahead of the Game – Empowering Young People.
The SAFE Protocol introduces a new requirement within the statutory homelessness duties for Local Authorities (LAs). It requires LAs to notify a child’s school, GP and health visitors when they move into Temporary Accommodation (TA). This measure has been brought forward through an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act (2026), aligned with the Government’s Child Poverty and Homelessness Strategies. It marks an important step toward better coordination between housing, health and education services, helping to ensure that professional support is in place for children experiencing homelessness.
Click here for more information.
Lizzy Winstone has been working on a new website that has just launched for schools to support young people with digital wellbeing. This is one of the outputs from the SPHR ResNet study on algorithms and mental health and wellbeing. Please share with any school contacts who might be interested.
Mind Your Feed (www.mindyourfeed.co.uk) is a classroom resource designed to help young people understand how social media algorithms shape what they see online, and how repeated exposure to different types of content can influence emotions, identity, mental health and wellbeing. The programme is designed for Years 7–8 (ages 11–13) and was developed from research with young people across the UK.
The website includes:
The materials are discussion-based, evidence-informed and include artwork, quotes and advice from young people themselves.
Just a reminder of the following services, which DSLs are encouraged to refer children and young people into where appropriate.
Horizons Youth offers confidential, non-judgemental support in a setting that is convenient and comfortable for children and young people, including in schools.
Whether they need advice, support to stay safe, someone to talk to about their own substance use, or are concerned about someone else’s use, Horizons Youth can help.
0300 555 1469
bristolinfo@horizonsbristol.co.uk
2. Young People Specialist Substance Misuse Treatment Service provides specialist support for children and young people with substance use needs and other complex needs, including mental health conditions. The service accepts referrals from schools and other settings.
0117 3546207
Young People's Specialist Substance Misuse Treatment Service (YPSSMTS)
As we begin the new academic year, a range of important health protection updates are available for education settings, including attendance guidance, immunisation programmes, flu and HPV vaccination information, measles updates, infection prevention and control training opportunities, and World AMR Awareness Week 2026.
For full details, guidance, resources and useful links from UKHSA and partner organisations, please visit our Health Protection Autumn Term Update - 2026 page.
Please see attached links to download the letter of assurance for Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council for use this academic year 2026-2027.
Following the changes to KCSIE 2026 we will now use your generic email address for information sharing such as MARAC requests, Daily Incident Briefing (DIB) updates etc.
Please can you ensure that you have the correct members of staff allocated to your inbox and that it is set up to receive mail from Bristol City Council.
KCSIE 2026, Part two, paragraph 127
“To ensure continuity of safeguarding responsibilities, schools should implement robust cover arrangements for periods when the designated safeguarding lead is unavailable due to illness, leave, or other circumstances. This could, for example, include a confidential shared mailbox or equivalent system to ensure that safeguarding concerns are received, monitored, and acted upon without delay.”
Please note:
Please use the attached link to download our current team contact poster.
Please see the attached link to the policy which was circulated towards the end of the last academic year.
The deadline for completing the 2024–2026 audit has now passed.
We will now moderate responses to support assurance activity and identify areas of compliance, good practice and any recommendations needed. A short report will be made available soon.
We are also developing the next S.175 audit, which will cover the 2026–2028 academic period. It will follow a similar format to the current audit and will reflect changes to statutory guidance, principally Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026.
New to Role DSL Training
Face-to-face:
Virtual:
DSL Refresher Training
Face to face:
Virtual:
23 and 24 September 2026, 08:45–12:30
24 and 25 November 2026, 08:45–12:30
19 and 20 January 2027, 08:45–12:30
2 and 3 March 2027, 08:45–12:30
30 and 31 March 2027, 08:45–12:30
11 and 12 May 2027, 08:45–12:30
6 and 7 July 2027, 08:45–12:30
SET and LADO Training - Practice challenges regarding dealing with concerns about staff
Wednesday 4 November 2026, 09:30–11:30
Wednesday 17 March 2027, 09:30–11:30
Wednesday 2 June 2027, 09:30–11:30
DSL Networks - Term 1
29 September 2026 - South
30 September 2026 - East / Central
1 October 2026 - North
30 September 2026 - Virtual
8 October 2027 - Post 16
Exciting news – our new DSL SharePoint site is on the way!
We are developing a new site to replace our existing website, which is due to close soon. The SharePoint site will be available to anyone who can access Bristol City Council SharePoint sites, and we will share access details as soon as it is ready to launch.
Hoping for a little rain soon? Bristol’s plants, playgrounds and crunchy grass would be grateful.