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Safer Internet Day 2025 reaches more parents, carers, and young people than ever before

Source: UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) published on this website Friday 16 May 2025 by Jil Powell

Safer Internet Day 2025 reached more young people than ever before, with 57% of UK children aged 8-17 hearing about the day, alongside 50% of UK parents and carers, an increase of almost 20% compared to the previous year.

The impact report looks at the reach of Safer Internet Day 2025 and the positive impact that it had on children, young people, parents, carers, and teachers.

The theme of Safer Internet Day this year was: Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online

 It was so inspiring to see schools and organisations across the UK getting involved and starting conversations about scams online. We are so proud of the impact the day has had, as can be seen through some of the key statistics of the day:

  • Over 160,000 downloads of education materials
  • The #SaferInternetDay hashtag trended at no.1 throughout the day on X
  • 1,726 organisations and schools across the UK registered as official supporters

More than just reach

Although the day reached more people than ever before, what is truly impressive is to see the real-life impact that Safer Internet Day has on those that get involved.

Young people told us that as a result of the day:

  • 76% felt more confident about what to do if something is worrying them online
  • 57% talked to their parent or carer about how to stay safe on the internet​
  • 34% spoke to their parent or carer about something or someone that had been worrying them online​
  • 43% spoke to someone about online scams ​
  • 28% talked to someone about their experiences online that they had not spoken about before ​
  • 79% learnt something new about online safety as a result of Safer Internet Day 2025

We also saw similar results from parents and carers:

  • 71% feel better prepared to keep their child safe online​
  • 69% felt more confident about what to do if their child came to them with a problem they had online ​
  • 34% said their child spoke to them about something that had been worrying them online​
  • 77% talked to their child about using the internet safely​
  • 73% are more aware of the impact online scams can have on their child

Read the full impact report

Safer Internet Day in schools

Over 1,400 schools registered their support for Safer Internet Day, and it was great to see the impact this had in their classrooms. UKSIC asked educators who had used the education resources for their feedback and found:

  • 96% agreed Safer Internet Day encouraged conversations about online safety between staff and young people​
  • 87% agreed Safer Internet Day plays a significant role in my setting’s online safety provision ​
  • 76% agreed that because of SID25 the setting will follow up with further online safety input for young people​
  • 58% agreed SID25 led to concerns being raised about potential safeguarding issues online

The statistics in the impact report show what an important date Safer Internet Day is in the online safety calendar, creating invaluable opportunities for young people to seek help and support on the issues which matter to them – some of which they have not been able to talk about before.

Help us make Safer Internet Day 2026 a reality

Each year we work together to make Safer Internet Day the pivotal point in the education calendar, creating space for conversations about the topics that matter, and helping young people to seek support and guidance that they otherwise may not get.
In order to help make Safer Internet Day 2026 even bigger and better than ever, UKSIC need your support. For more information about partnership opportunities, and to help support the work that is done, please email will@childnet.com.

New guidance for education settings to prepare for and respond to terrorism and other major incidents.


Source: Department for Education published on this website Thursday 15 March 2025 by Jil Powell

This new non statutory guidance Protective security and preparedness for education settings was published on the 29 April.

 This non-statutory guidance is for:

  • security and incident leads
  • all staff, including non-teaching staff

It applies to:

  • all education settings and childcare providers
  • all organisations and agencies that have functions relating to learners

The guidance:

  • aims to improve security awareness
  • helps staff and learners identify security vulnerabilities and suspicious activities
  • sets out practical, low-costs steps to improve preparedness and response plans

The Act for Education interactive e-learning resource will teach learners:

  • how to identify security vulnerabilities and suspicious activity
  • how to respond when there is an incident

The Summary states:

“This non-statutory guidance provides advice to help educational settings be better prepared and able to respond to terrorism and other major incidents. It sets out practical steps to keep learners, staff and volunteers safe in the event of an incident through simple and cost-effective methods. The guidance is aimed at those working in settings who have existing responsibilities for emergency planning and response, site security, and staff new to concepts of protective security and preparedness. It is recommended that all staff read this guidance to ensure they are able to identify security vulnerabilities, suspicious activity and how to respond when there is an incident. For the purpose of this guidance, educational settings cover settings from early years, all schools, further and higher education (including colleges, sixth-form colleges and independent training providers), and alternative provisions (including special schools and children’s social care settings). This guidance can also be adapted to out-of-school settings (OOSS)”.

Key Actions for Schools: (summarised by Claire Stewart safecic’s Development Manager)

  • Appoint a Security Lead to oversee emergency planning and act as incident lead if needed.
  • Review and test plans for lockdown, invacuation, evacuation, and bomb threats, ensuring they meet the needs of all learners, including those with SEND.
  • Train all staff to recognise suspicious behaviour (SCaN), assess suspicious items (HOT protocol), and respond to incidents (RUN HIDE TELL).
  • Use the self-assessment tool (Annex D) to review current plans and identify gaps.
  • Prepare a ‘grab kit’ with essential items to support response efforts, especially for those with additional needs.

This guidance has been developed in collaboration with the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and sector partners.

Working together to safeguard children 2023 updated 8 May 2025

Source: Department for Education published on this website Monday 12 May 2025 by Jill Powell

 The updated version has an illustrated guide, an animated video and details of a toolkit for children, young people and their families, and practitioners working with them.

This is so practitioners can share and use with children, young people and their families:

  • Working together to safeguard children: an illustrated guide for children, young people and their families
  • the short accompanying animated video
  • a toolkit of resources

All children should be helped, supported and protected when things are difficult. The illustrated guide, animated video and toolkit explain to children, young people and their families how individuals, organisations and agencies work together to help, support and protect them.

These materials were co-produced with children and young people, along with the Department for Education’s Social Care Advisory Board, facilitated by the National Children’s Bureau.

Practitioners who would like to use the toolkit can email workingtogether.statutoryguidance@education.gov.uk to request this.

Abusive care home manager jailed

Source: Northumbria Police published on this website Tuesday 13 May 2025 by Jill Powell

A care home manager in the North East who physically and sexually abused residents has been jailed for three years and three months.

Concerns were first raised around William Malcolm’s inappropriate and unprofessional conduct in 2022 and then began a complex and long-running investigation.

Malcolm, 61, who was also a registered mental health nurse, was caring for vulnerable and elderly residents in the home.

His treatment of both people in his care and non-residents started to alarm employees who say they witnessed a range of disturbing events.

Witnesses say they saw Malcolm use hateful names towards people, swear at them, simulate sex with them and, in some cases, sexually assault them.

After being arrested, Malcolm was charged with a string of offences in November 2023.

Malcolm, of West Hope Close, South Tyneside, denied all the charges.

Last month, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court unanimously found him guilty of 13 offences – 10 charges of sexual assault, two of ill-treating a person in care and one racially aggravated harassment.

He was sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment.

Malcolm will also spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and was given a string of supplementary orders to further protect the public, including multiple restraining orders.

The officer in charge of the case, Detective Sergeant Clark Graham, said: “William Malcolm was duty bound to protect vulnerable people but instead he abused his position.

“That abuse has had long-term destructive effects on his victims and their families – who have only wanted the best and most compassionate care for their loved ones.

“Malcolm’s disgusting acts, including abusing those who can’t always speak up or defend themselves, have rightly earned him a place behind bars.

“While nothing will ever fully undo the pain and suffering this has caused, I hope this acts as a comfort knowing he has been brought to justice.”

Det Sgt Graham continued: “I want to praise all the witnesses who came forward to help with this investigation.

“It’s clear he was a cruel and abusive nurse and the bravery to come forward against someone like that should be commended.”

Martyn's Law Factsheet

Source: Home Office published on this website Monday 14 April 2025 by Jill Powell

This factsheet was updated in April 2025

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, received Royal Assent on Thursday 3 April 2025.  

This Act delivers the Government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public premises and events. 

The Government would like to pay tribute to Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, who was killed in the Manchester Arena attack.  Her campaigning has been crucial in driving this Act forward.   

The Government intends for there to be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the Act comes into force. This will allow the SIA’s new function to be established, whilst ensuring those responsible for premises and events in scope have sufficient time to understand their new obligations. This will enable them to plan and prepare appropriately.  

Please refer to our wider factsheets and legislation documentation which can be found on GOV.UK

What does Martyn’s Law do?  

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also commonly referred to as Martyn’s Law, will improve protective security and organisational preparedness across the UK by requiring that those responsible for certain premises and events consider how they would respond to a terrorist attack. In addition to this, at certain larger premises and events, appropriate steps to reduce vulnerability to terrorist attacks must also be considered. Through the Act, qualifying premises and events should be better prepared and protected, ready to respond in the event of a terrorist attack.  

Whilst those that fall within scope of the Act may wish to begin considering the requirements, they should note that guidance will be published in due course. This guidance will assist in understanding the requirements set out in the legislation. The guidance is being designed to be easy to follow, needing neither particular expertise nor the use of third-party products or services. 

To support enforcement of the regime, a regulator will be established through a new function of the Security Industry Authority (SIA), which will support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation. 

How will it work?   

The Act establishes a tiered approach, linked to the number of individuals it is reasonable to expect may be present at the same time at premises and events.  

Who will be in scope? 

Premises that satisfy the following four criteria fall within scope of the Act: 

  1. There is at least one building (or the premises are in a building); 
  1. The premises are wholly or mainly used for one or more of the uses specified at Schedule 1 to the Act, e.g. a restaurant or a shop; 
  1. It is reasonable to expect that at least 200 individuals may be present at least occasionally; and 
  1. The premises are not excluded under Schedule 2 to the Act 

If 800 or more individuals may be expected, the premises will be an enhanced duty premises unless the Act says otherwise. 

An event that satisfies the following criteria fall within scope of the Act: 

  1. It will take place at premises within section 3(1)(a) of the Act, including land without buildings, that are not enhanced duty premises (or part of enhanced duty premises); 
  1. The relevant premises are accessible to members of the public for the purpose of the event; 
  1. It is reasonable to expect that there will be at least 800 individuals present for the event at once at some point during it;  
  1. There will be measures to check entry conditions are met, such as a ticket checks; and 
  1. The event is not excluded under Schedule 2 to the Act. 

Who is the responsible person for qualifying premises? ​ 

For qualifying premises, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises in connection with their relevant Schedule 1 use (e.g. the use of a venue as a sports ground or a hotel). Where there is more than one Schedule 1 use (e.g. a church that also has a creche), it will be the person in control of the premises in connection with whichever Schedule 1 use is the principal use.  

Who is the responsible person for qualifying events? 

For qualifying events, the responsible person is the person who has control of the premises at which the event will be held for the purposes of the event. The circumstances of the event will need to be considered to determine who the responsible person is. For example, if a concert is to be held in a park and the company putting on the event takes control of an area of the park for the purposes of that concert, the company putting on the event will be the responsible person. Conversely, if a stately home puts on a concert in its grounds and maintains control of the site for the purposes of that concert, the stately home will be the responsible person. This would be the case even if the stately home contracted organisations to do aspects of the event (e.g. to provide door security or ticketing).   

What are the requirements for standard duty premises? 

Standard duty premises are generally those where it is reasonable to expect that between 200 and 799 individuals (including staff) may be present at the same time at least occasionally. The responsible person will be required to: 

  • notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) of their premises; and 
  • have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures.  

These public protection procedures are those which should be followed by people working at the premises if an act of terrorism were to occur at the premises, or in the immediate vicinity. They are procedures which may be expected to reduce the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals relating to evacuation, invacuation (moving people to a safe place), locking down the premises, and communicating with individuals on the premises.  

The requirements for standard duty premises are centred around simple, low-cost activities with costs relating primarily to time spent. There is no requirement to put in place physical measures. 

What are the requirements for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events? 

Enhanced duty premises and qualifying events are premises or events where it is reasonable to expect that 800 or more individuals (including staff numbers) may be present on the premises at least occasionally2 or attend the event at the same time. In addition to the same requirements as standard duty premises (above), the person responsible for enhanced duty premises and qualifying events will additionally be required to: 

  • have in place, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection measures that could be expected to reduce both (i) the vulnerability of the premises or event to an act of terrorism, and (ii) the risk of physical harm being caused to individuals if an attack was to occur there or nearby. For example, enhanced duty premises will be required, so far as is reasonably practicable, to implement measures relating to the monitoring of the premises and their immediate vicinity;  
  • document the public protection procedures and measures in place, or proposed to be put in place, and provide this document to the SIA. This document should include an assessment of how the public protection procedures and measures reduce vulnerability and/or the risk of harm; and 
  • Where the responsible person is not an individual, they must designate a senior individual with responsibility for ensuring that the responsible person complies with these requirements.  

How to assess how many individuals are reasonably expected to be present?  

A range of methods can be used to make a reasonable assessment. This includes methods which those responsible for premises and events may already be familiar with, e.g. safe occupancy calculations for the purposes of fire safety or use of historic data.  

How will Martyn’s Law be enforced?  

To support enforcement of the regime, a new regulatory function will be established within the Security Industry Authority (SIA). The SIA will seek to support, advise and guide those responsible for premises and events in meeting the requirements of this legislation. Where there are instances of serious or persistent non-compliance the SIA will be able to take enforcement action including compliance notices, monetary penalties and restriction notices. The legislation also includes some criminal offences. The SIA must prepare statutory guidance about how it will discharge its functions under the Act, which must be approved by the Home Secretary before it is published.   

There will be a period of time prior to the implementation of the legislation, i.e. when it will come into force. We expect this period to be at least 24 months to allow for the set-up of the regulator and to ensure sufficient time for those responsible for premises and events in scope to understand their new obligations before they come into force, being able to plan and prepare accordingly. 

How will my business or organisation be supported on Martyn’s Law?   

Guidance will be provided in due course to assist those in scope to understand the requirements set out in the legislation. The guidance is being designed to be easy to follow, needing neither particular expertise nor the use of third-party products or services. 

The Home Office continues to build on the materials already published in relation to this legislation. This includes a bespoke landing page on Protect UK, Government factsheets which set out key aspects of the legislation, social media promotion, various press releases, media briefings, and our substantial stakeholder engagement campaign. 

Our intention is to augment and further strengthen our communications during the implementation period, to support duty holders and raise awareness amongst the public. 

Will Martyn’s Law apply to all of the UK?    

The legislation will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure consistency in keeping the public safe across all parts of the United Kingdom. 

We have been working closely with stakeholders and the Devolved Governments throughout the development of this Act.  

Why have we introduced Martyn’s Law? 

Since March 2017, Counter Terrorism Policing assesses that there have been 15 domestic terror attacks in the UK (not including Northern Ireland-related terrorism), and security services and law enforcement have together disrupted 43 late-stage plots. 

The threat picture is complex, evolving and enduring, with terrorists choosing to attack a broad range of locations. It is not possible to predict where in the UK an attack might happen, or the type of premises or event that could be impacted – either directly as the target of an attack, or indirectly by being located near to the target of an attack.   

Engagement with business indicates that preparedness and protective security in the counter-terrorism space often falls behind areas where there are long-established legal requirements, such as health and safety. The police, security services, and other partners continue to do all they can to combat the terror threat; and many businesses and organisations already do excellent work to improve their security and preparedness. However, the absence of legislative requirements means there is no consistency of consideration or of outcomes achieved. 

That is what this Act seeks to address.