Source: Department for Education published on this website Friday 9 January 2026 by Jill Powell

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (the bill) is a key step towards delivering the government’s opportunity mission to break the link between children’s background and their future success.

The child protection measures strengthen multi-agency responses to significant harm. Clause 3 creates a new duty for safeguarding partners – local authorities, police and integrated care boards – to establish multi-agency child protection teams (MACPTs).

It allows the Secretary of State for Education to use regulations to further prescribe the:

• functions of MACPTs
• qualification and skills requirements for MACPT members
• relevant agencies that safeguarding partners can approach to facilitate the operation of MACPTs

The purpose of this policy statement is to provide clarity on the intended scope and content of the regulations. It seeks to address concerns raised in the House of Lords about the operation of MACPTs and level of prescription in regulations. The information set out is the first step in developing the regulations.

To develop regulations further, we will:

• engage with sectors
• use existing best evidence of effective multi-agency working
• use emerging evidence from the Families First for Children pathfinder areas (pathfinders)
• use emerging evidence from the implementation of the Families First Partnership (FFP) programme national rollout

Regulations will be subject to consultation and robust Parliamentary scrutiny with the aim for them to come into force in late 2027, subject to royal assent.

To read the Multi-agency child protection teams: regulation-making powers policy paper published 7 January 2026

Source: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) published on this website Wednesday 7 January 2026

From Monday 5 January prosecutors in England and Wales will be able to charge those involved in small boast crossings with new offences that make it illegal to supply items such as engines and those who endanger the lives of others whilst crossing the Channel.

Guidance issued to its lawyers by the Crown Prosecution Service sets out what they need to prove to charge suspects with new offences contained in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.

While arriving in the UK without authorisation or helping others to do so have been crimes for more than 50 years, the new offences coming into force today are a response to the changing character of immigration crime and how modern gangs operate.

Sarah Dineley from the Crown Prosecution Service said:

“Organised immigration crime causes untold misery and is a serious risk to life for those desperate enough to make these crossings.

“Thanks to these new offences we now have at our disposal, we can work with our law enforcement colleagues to bring offenders to justice.

“Prosecutions disrupt the running of these criminal business models and sends out a clear message to those involved that they risk imprisonment.

“Once our prosecutors have sufficient evidence from law enforcement agencies and it’s in the public interest we won’t hesitate to charge suspects and take them to court.”

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris said:  

“We promised to restore order and control to our borders which means taking on the people smuggling networks behind this deadly trade.  

“That is exactly why we are implementing robust new laws with powerful offences to intercept, disrupt and dismantle these vile gangs faster than ever before and cut off their supply chains.   

“These operational measures sit alongside sweeping reforms to the system, to make it less attractive for migrants to come here illegally and remove and deport people faster.”

Prosecutors work with law enforcement agencies including Immigration Enforcement, the National Crime Agency, and police forces to build the strongest cases.

The new crimes include handling, supplying or disposing of items that are for use in immigration crime such as pumps to inflate vessels or engines. Offenders face up to 14 years in prison on conviction for such offences. Collecting information that is of use to those planning an illegal crossing is made a criminal offence for the first time punishable with up to five years in prison. The research can include looking at weather reports or tide times to identify a favourable time to launch. Those on small boats who endanger the life of others while on the water can be punished with up to six years in prison.

A new offence of advertising illegal small boat crossings online will come into force in the next few months and carries up to five years in prison.

Source: Crown Prosecution Service(CPS) published on this website Thursday 8 January 2026 by Jill Powell

A man who assisted suicide by selling a substance to four people via an online forum has been jailed.

Miles Cross, 33, from Wrexham, set up a business and began selling the substance via an internet discussion forum after joining the online site in July 2024.

Interacting under a pseudonym, he posted that he had obtained the necessary paraphernalia for suicide by the chemical method and posted a photograph of the drug.

He also posted a QR code which linked to his bank account and allowed people to order the substance directly from him and pay via that account.

Cross received payments of £100 from four people and sent them the substance through the post. Two people took their own lives as a result.

When police searched Cross’s address in January 2025, officers discovered tubs of the substance and other paraphernalia.

Police analysis of Cross’s seized devices linked him to the forum, social media profiles, and the bank account.

On 18 November at Mold Crown Court, Cross pleaded guilty to four offences of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another person.

He was jailed for a total of 14 years today at the same court.

The prosecution followed an investigation by North Wales Police.

Alison Storey, Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS Special Crime Division, said: 

“Miles Cross preyed on four people in a distressed state and knowingly provided a substance intended to end their lives.

“His actions were for financial gain, and he made the process of ordering the chemical online easy and accessible.

“This case is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by those who aim to exploit vulnerable individuals online. The CPS will always aim to hold offenders to account when they illegally seek to encourage or assist a suicide.

“Our thoughts remain with the families of the victims, and we hope this outcome brings some measure of justice to them.”

To prove the offence of encouraging or assisting the suicide of another person, the CPS needed to show that Cross committed an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide with the intent that a suicide or assisted suicide was the result.  

By working closely with the investigation team within North Wales Police, we were able to do this by proving:

• A quantity of a chemical was found following a search of Cross’ home address. The large amount recovered clearly indicated that this was not for his own personal use. Items required for despatching the chemical to customers were also discovered and documentary evidence of these purchases prior to him supplying the chemical suggested they were bought specifically for this purpose.
• In the weeks before he signed up to the internet site, he took steps to effectively launch a small business.  He set up a new email address, a new mobile phone and new bank account. His Telegram account, to receive payments, was activated soon after.
• The internet site provided a ready market for his product. He was in contact with people who he would be aware were considering suicide. He supplied a QR code which linked to his Telegram account to allow them to make payments to him for his product.
• Financial records established that Cross received four payments of £100, one from each of the named victims. There are Royal mail records and tracking information which establishes that packages were sent by Cross to each of them. This evidence included Cross’ name, address and email address.

Overall, this evidence provided a strong picture that Cross obtained the chemical with the intention of supplying it to vulnerable people, and that this was a commercial venture from the start. 

As a result, Cross admitted his guilt and was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment at Mold Crown Court on 7 January 2026. 

Source: UK Internet Centre (UKIC) published on this site Tuesday 6 January 2026

Safer Internet Day 2026 will take place on 10 February 2026 with the theme “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.” This year’s campaign highlights an issue that has rapidly become a global discussion, how can we use artificial intelligence safely and responsibly?
It’s more important than ever for schools, charities, businesses, and community organisations to come together to raise awareness, share good practice, and help people of all ages make safe, informed choices online. Here’s how you and your organisation can get involved, and why your support matters.

The best way to get involved with Safer Internet Day 2026 is to register your support. By signing up as a supporter, your organisation:

– Joins the national celebration and officially includes you on the Safer Internet Day supporters map.

– Gives you the opportunity to share your planned activities for Safer Internet Day with thousands of other organisations

– Helps to raise awareness around how to stay safe online, especially around AI.

Registration is simple and free via the official supporter registration form. It asks for basic details and a short description of what you are planning to do to celebrate Safer Internet Day.

Register Your Support

Whether you’re an educator, youth worker, librarian, or community group leader, a suite of free education resources is available to help you plan impactful Safer Internet Day activities. These resources cover different age groups (from early years to teens) and are designed to make discussions about AI and online safety engaging and age-appropriate. Materials include:

– Presentation slides and activities

– Lesson plans and assembly guides

– Adaptable content for different settings (schools, youth groups, libraries)

– These resources make it easy to deliver meaningful conversations and learning opportunities tailored to your audience.

To support safe behaviour online, the UK Safer Internet Centre has developed top tips and practical advice for a range of audiences:

Top Tips for Young People – practical, age-appropriate guidance on understanding and using AI and digital tools responsibly.
Top Tips for Parents & Carers – support families with confidence to talk about online experiences and navigate AI tools safely.
Quizzes for Learners – fun, interactive quizzes for ages 7–11 and 11–14 to test online safety knowledge and spark conversations.

These assets are ideal for use in classrooms, clubs, or at home, helping to reinforce your Safer Internet Day activities in a fun and accessible way.

Organisations can host a range of Safer Internet Day activities, such as:
Workshops or assemblies exploring digital wellbeing and safe tech use
Interactive sessions on AI – what it is, how it works, and how to use it safely
Community or parent workshops to build understanding and confidence around online safety.

Once you’re registered:

– Share your support across your websites or social media.
– Share your activities on social media using official the official hashtag #SaferInternetDay.
– Encourage partners and other networks to join and support the cause.

Every organisation, no matter how big or small, plays a fundamental part in building a safer internet environment. Help us make Safer Internet Day 2026 one to remember. Register your organisation’s support today and help inspire safe, confident and informed technology use across your community. Together, we can make the internet a better place for everyone.