Source: Department for Education published on this website Tuesday 10 February 2026 by Jill Powell

Updated Safeguarding guidance, e-learning and resources for providers of after-school clubs, activities and tuition, and other out-of-school settings.

02 February 2026 the guidance was updated to include the 'DBS checks when self-employed or volunteering' section to include updated information on Enhanced with Barred Lists DBS checks and reflect changes to DBS advice on eligibility. Further minor updates made for formatting and accessibility.

Source: Ministry of Justice published on this website Friday 6 January 2026 by Jill Powell

Child victims will be better supported to understand their rights as a victim of crime and, more crucially, where to get the help they need to recover under plans for a new and improved Victims’ Code unveiled 5 February.

Many children and young people don’t know where to turn following crimes such as domestic abuse and sexual violence – lost in the complexities of the criminal justice system.  

To make this known and clear, the Government will work with young people and experts to develop the first-of-its-kind child-friendly version of the Victims’ Code. This will set out in age-appropriate language a child’s rights as a victim of crime – including the right to be referred or self-refer to support services.   

Proposals in the new Victims’ Code include more direct contact with police and probation officers alongside parents for those aged 12 and up, granting them the dignity and autonomy they deserve as survivors of crime, and a stronger feeling of safety going through the justice system. 

From the point of reporting all the way through to trial and beyond, a better Victims’ Code will encourage all victims to see their case through, knowing the government stands firmly on their side. 

The Government is going further still to make sure all victims know about their rights through the Understand your Rights campaign which will reach across England and Wales to show that the Victims’ Code is there for every victim, whatever the crime. 

Today’s news follows a series of key interventions designed to protect women and children from violence and abuse.  

These include the launch of the Government’s landmark VAWG Strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, and the decision to repeal the presumption of parental involvement to focus family court proceedings squarely on children’s safety.  

Ministers have also committed to review the ‘National Protocol’ guidelines to stop the criminalisation of children in care and remove parental responsibility from people who have been convicted of a serious sexual offence against any child, and where a child is born of rape. 

Source: Department of Health and Social Care published on this website Monday 9 February 2026 by Jill Powell

Social work students will receive more targeted financial support where there is the greatest need, including those from low-income backgrounds, under plans set out in a consultation announced by the government today.

It will seek feedback from universities, social work students, social workers, local authorities and NHS trusts to maximise the effectiveness of the existing Social Work Bursary (SWB) and the Education Support Grant (ESB).

Together, these provide £50 million annually to support social work students and have provided support since 2003. However, uptake of the Social Work Bursary has declined in recent years, with around 1,500 unclaimed bursaries in 2024-25 out of the 4,000 available.

These proposed changes will bring down barriers and aim to improve access to a vital career.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said:

I hugely value the thousands of social workers across the country who care for the vulnerable people in our society.

This consultation will make sure that support is targeted to the social work students that need it most. Ultimately, this will bolster our workforce with aspiring and hardworking, compassionate social workers.

We are on the road to transforming adult social care careers by launching the Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, the first ever universal career structure and improved training and qualifications. This is a further step as we build a National Care Service and work with the sector to deliver the workforce it needs.”

Chief Social Worker for Adults Sarah McClinton and Chief Social Worker for Children and Families Isabelle Trowler said:

This consultation is vital to understand views from across the profession, including current and future students, higher education institutes and employers on how the Social Work Bursary and Education Support Grant can best support high-quality students into social work education and ultimately help them have long and rewarding careers in social work.

The consultation runs for eight weeks and closes on 7 April 2026. Responses can be submitted online: Proposed changes to the Social Work Bursary and the Education Support Grant

Currently, the Social Work Bursary provides support to undergraduates who receive around £4,900 and postgraduates who receive around £11,300 and the Education Support Grant contributes to the costs of practice placements, where students gain hands-on experience. Bursaries or grants do not need to be paid back, unlike student loans.

Through the 10 Year Health Plan the government is shifting more care out of hospital and into the community and social workers will play a vital role in this shift, as part of Neighbourhood Health Services.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Thursday 5 February 2026 by Jill Powell

Huja (not her real name) a survivor of female genital mutilation (FGM), has spoken directly to police, prosecutors and government officials about the urgent need to improve justice and support for victims of ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA).

‘Cut’ at three months old in The Gambia, Huja told delegates at the national multi-agency ‘Honour’-Based Abuse conference – hosted by the Crown Prosecution Service, the Home Office and the National Police Chiefs’ Council – how these forms of abuse can cause lifelong physical and psychological harm to women and girls.

For her community, FGM was common.

She described how her aunt arranged the procedure out of love, and how she did not realise what had happened to her until her wedding night.

“Many survivors of FGM don't even realise that they've been cut because it can happen when they are babies or very young children,” Huja says. “There were lots of symptoms I didn't know were related to my FGM until I was an adult and was supported by an FGM clinic.”

Senior leaders including the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips MP, NPCC lead ACC Emma James and Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP heard Huja describe the pressure on families to protect perpetrators, the celebration surrounding cutting ceremonies, and the stigma faced by women who are not subjected to FGM.

Huja describes how “survivors often have to overcome multiple barriers to get to support and disclose the harm they have suffered.”

There are various reasons why FGM is carried out, including the belief that it will help maintain a girl or women’s chastity and ensure she is deemed ‘marriageable’.

We are clear that FGM is illegal in England and Wales and has no medical benefit, and yet victims often do not recognise what has happened to them as a crime. Cultural acceptance, fear of ostracism and lack of awareness of the law remain major barriers to reporting. 

‘Honour’-Based Abuse sees victims suffering devastating crimes such as domestic or sexual abuse, forced marriage or FGM, often at the hands of their own families, extended families, or members of their community.
CPS data shows that a during the 12 months ending September 2025 charges were authorised against 114 suspects flagged the ‘honour-based’ abuse monitoring flag. 

These crimes remain underreported to authorities.

Today, Huja called for unity amongst those working to tackle HBA. She says, “Communities and professionals need to work together to ensure that survivors reach support and education is the only way that we will achieve long lasting change. It is essential that we support charities such as Sundial Centre for Education on Harmful Practices to help schools and professionals with learning on sensitive issues and safeguard girls at risk.

Police, prosecutors and specialist services at the conference were urged to put learning into practice and recognise the complex pressures victims face to support them through all available options, not only criminal justice routes.

Baljit Ubhey, Director of Policy at the CPS, said 

“Only by listening to victims of these horrific and multi-dimensional crimes can we respond effectively across the criminal justice system.

“Once again, we came together with partners to share learnings and take active steps towards seeing violence and abuse in the name of perceived ‘honour’ eradicated.

“Stories such as Huja’s are vital to seeing where there are obstacles we must overcome, and barriers we must break down to see more abusers of these crimes brought to justice.”

Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP, said: 

“’Honour’-Based Abuse one of the most complex forms of violence against women and girls. Too many victims have been let down, and we must see more prosecutions so we can better protect women and girls from these traumatic crimes.

“This government is committed to tackling violence against women and girls and strengthening the criminal justice system’s response to these crimes. It is vitally important that partners across the system come together to ensure cases move through the system and improve victims’ confidence.”

By strengthening this joint approach, agencies aim to build confidence for survivors like Huja* to come forward, bring more abusers to justice and contribute to the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls within the next decade.