My next Designated Safeguarding Lead Renewal Course (for Level 3 DSLs) is being held online on 6 March 2026. All the details are on the poster, but you can expect an interesting and varied training day that will really boost your confidence in your role. annmariechristian.com/book-now/

The importance of eating a communal meal in Early Years settings cannot be overstated. A place to learn behaviours or try new food that a friend is eating. For some, it might be the first time sitting at a table, using utensils or having a conversation. www.cypnow.co.uk/content/in-d...

Simplifying school uniforms: some schools are looking to make uniforms more practical - ditching blazers & ties in favour of fleeces & polo shirts. They're more hard-wearing, better for moving around, cheaper & more comfortable for kids with sensory needs. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Organisations fighting CSA call for a ban to apps & AI that 'nudify' - remove clothing from images. IWF says "There is no positive use case for these tools – they only serve to humiliate, harass & exploit & can serve as a means to inflict further abuse." www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/b...

The National Crime Agency says that despite unprecedented levels of enforcement to tackle Child Sexual Abuse, technological advancement and the reliance on online platforms to communicate mean it is increasing in severity, complexity and accessibility. www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/child-s...

I'll be leading the session 'Safeguarding Pupil Premium Children' at the National Pupil Premium Conference on 27 Feb, to include the topics: * Spotting the signs of risk early * Barriers to learning and wellbeing * How to use data for early identification pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...

A terrifying article showing how society is losing against online platforms: "....social media has ruined my self-esteem and my relation to being a girl in this world...nearly every day I feel hatred towards my gender, my appearance, or even teenage boys." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Children's Commissioner has released a report on children's internet exposure to appearance-changing products - e.g. adverts for weight loss, muscle growth, skin lightening, even Botox. The report looks at effects these have, e.g. on self-esteem. www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/resource/a-h...

I'll be leading the session 'Safeguarding Pupil Premium Children' at the National Pupil Premium Conference on 27 Feb, to include the topics: * Spotting the signs of risk early * Barriers to learning and wellbeing * How to use data for early identification pupilpremiumconference.com/live/en/page...

Vaping is to be banned in cars containing children, playgrounds and outside schools, bringing it into line with all existing places where smoking is banned. The proposals are also supported by charities Cancer UK and the British Heart Foundation. www.itv.com/news/2026-02...

Vicarious trauma is when people working in safeguarding put their own mental health at risk. This can be anything from feeling on edge to stress-related health conditions. This @TheCPSU article explains more about self-care for safeguarding professionals. thecpsu.org.uk/help-advice/...

The govt are going to work with children to create the first child-friendly version of the Victims' Code - to 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. www.gov.uk/government/n...

Need to feel more confident about the recruitment of staff in your Early Yrs Education Setting? High profile cases in 2026 may make you feel hesitant about the recruitment process. Sign up to my one-day course and gain the skills you need to recruit with confidence. annmariechristian.com/book-now/

Children's Mental Health Week theme 2026 is 'This is My Place', aiming to support systems surrounding children & young people to feel they have a place and belong - encouraging peers, families, schools and communities to create nurturing environments. www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk

The manipulation of online images means schools are in a precarious position when putting pictures of children online, says a #safeguarding lead. They say educators drive home messages surrounding internet safety, yet don't always follow their own advice. www.tes.com/magazine/tea...

We often talk about #safeguarding in early years & schools. But it's equally important in areas such as places of work or apprenticeships. Often a first experience of the world of work for young people, it's vital to keep safeguarding conversations going. learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2026/fe...

There's still time to make a booking for my Safer Recruitment Training on Feb 24. The training is online, with easy access. It's a small group, so your voice will be heard. I use recent case studies in my work, so you'll learn a lot and maintain interest. annmariechristian.com/book-now/

#ThinkTheUnthinkable: A summer camp leader who sexually abused children in his care by giving them sweets laced with tranquilizers has admitted he also drugged his wife so she would sleep while he carried out abuse. He has pleaded guilty to all charges. www.itv.com/news/central...

Plans have been unveiled to recruit 10,000 more foster carers in England, as part of an £88m package to revitalise foster care. It is estimated the country is currently 8,000 foster carers short. This will be accompanied by a national fostering rulebook. www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...

A government report - focused on the first 1,000 days of life - reports life chances of infants in England would be improved by boosting vaccine uptake & improving access to health visitors and Family Hubs. The UK has some of the worst outcomes in Europe. committees.parliament.uk/committee/81...

Many red flags were missed by Harvey Willgoose's school prior to his death, said his parents. A report commissioned by the school's trust highlighted a number of missed opportunities in the weeks before the murder, including basic safeguarding failures. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Men are making money by posting videos of women in dresses or skirts on nights out that have been taken covertly. Videos are posted in the guise of being 'walking tour' or 'nightlife content' and are filmed without knowledge or consent of those involved. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

My Safer Recruitment Training is happening at the end of this month and the course is almost full. If your Early Years education setting needs a more confident approach to recruiting staff, my online course gives you all the tools needed. Details/booking: annmariechristian.com/wp-content/u...

Neurodivergent children living in temporary accommodation face conditions "comparable to torture", according to a Kings College London report. The housing fulfills a basic legal duty, but is "overcrowded, noisy, unstable & wholly unsuitable for...needs." www.kcl.ac.uk/news/neurodi...

#ThinkTheUnthinkable: These foster carers were allowed to care for children in the 80s, despite having 26 previous convictions. Last week they were convicted of multiple counts of cruel & unnatural treatment of children. Prior complaints had been ignored. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Children and young people involved in, or at serious risk of violence have been at the centre of research by the Youth Endowment Fund. They explain in their own words how they became involved in violence, their experiences - and sometimes their move away. youthendowmentfund.org.uk/reports/syst...

Are you involved in recruitment for Early Years settings? If you want to gain confidence in the planning and decisions surrounding recruiting new staff, my one-day online course in February is ideal for you. Find out more info on the poster and book here: annmariechristian.com/wp-content/u...

The Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health has published new information on screen time and online harms. This is for paediatricians and other professionals to inform their practice when discussing screen time with young people and their families. www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/sc...

Childline launch a campaign to increase awareness of the need for children & teens to step away from devices. The director said: "we're hoping to spark honest conversations about digital resilience & the importance of taking breaks from the online world". www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/new...

A private school in Edinburgh failed to protect pupils from abuse by both teachers & other pupils between the 50s and the 80s, the Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry found. "Children...could have been readily protected, and it is shameful that did not happen". www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

I'm excited to be speaking about Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment at the Childcare and Education Expo at Olympia on Friday 20th March. This huge Early Years event is full of seminars, workshops, round table discussions & CPD sessions. Find out more: www.childcareeducationexpo.co.uk/london

*SAFER RECRUITMENT TRAINING* My online course helps educators create & maintain a culture of vigilance. The course is accredited by Safer Recruitment Consortium - I'm a former LADO. I ensure the training day is always relevant & interesting. Details below: annmariechristian.com/wp-content/u...

The average 2-yr-old watches a screen for more than 2 hours a day; it's affecting vocabulary, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving skills & creativity, according to primary leaders. They also see frustrations from activities not being instant & seamless. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

New data released by the Internet Watch Foundation reveals 2025 was the worst year on record for Child Sexual Abuse Material found by analysts. There was a 26,362% rise in photo-realistic AI videos of CSA, often including real & recognisable child victims. www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/n...

A group of 20 doctors has written to the government, urging them to impose a ban on social media for under 16s. They warn of mounting evidence that tech & devices are causing health harm, and have detailed 'horrific' cases they have witnessed in all ages. news.sky.com/video/doctor...

Research into classroom hunger has found that 1 in 3 supply teachers regularly see children coming to school without having had breakfast. This primary school - in one of Birmingham's most deprived areas - offers a free healthy breakfast to all its pupils. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Internet Matters new briefing looks at online safety from a gender perspective. Key findings: girls & boys now spend similar amounts of time online; girls are more likely to encounter online harassment but the no. of boys contacted by strangers is rising. www.internetmatters.org/hub/research...

I've had so many enquiries about my Safer Recruitment Training that I'm planning further one-day sessions in the future. In the meantime, I'm concentrating on Early Years settings for my 24 Feb course. If you work in EYFS and recruit staff, contact me for more info on this course.

An announcement by the government says OFSTED will now check schools' mobile phone policies and there will be 'tougher guidance' on restricting devices. However the advice will be non-statutory, meaning that schools don't have an obligation to follow it. schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-to-ch...

26% of teens in care have attempted to end their lives - 4x more than peers with no care history, says research by academics at UCL. This compares with 7% of teens overall and is the first time the elevated suicide risk of teens in care has been calculated. www.theguardian.com/society/2026...

If you play any role in recruiting education staff, you need to join my Safer Recruitment course on 24 Feb. Full of useful information, the course ensures you'll recruit staff decisively for years to come. I am a Safer Recruitment Consortium accredited trainer. DM for info.

A follow-up report into illegal children's homes by The Children's Commissioner shows that a year on, vulnerable children are still housed in holiday camps, caravans & AirBnBs. More than 1/2 these children have EHCPs. The call is for complete reform. www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news-and-blo...

UK families are suing TikTok in the US over the deaths of their children. The parents claim algorithms caused the children to be fed unsuitable content to their pages; the lawsuit is being heard to decide whether the case can progress or be thrown out. www.itv.com/news/2026-01...

Care system failings are 'putting 100s of children at risk' with prolonged placements at unregistered care homes, says cross-bench Public Accounts Committee. Around 1 in 10 who live in residential settings live in care that isn't registered with OFSTED. www.cypnow.co.uk/content/news...

It can be difficult to spot signs of depression or anxiety in a child, because they can look like normal behaviour. This @NSPCC article can help you notice signs of depression, has ideas of how to help, and help if you're worried a child may be suicidal. www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-f...

*SAFER RECRUITMENT TRAINING* This online course helps educators create & maintain a culture of vigilance. The course is accredited by the Safer Recruitment Consortium and I'm a former LADO. I ensure training is relevant, interesting and gives long-term value. Details below:

Parents of under-5s in England are to be offered screen time guidance, as parents, teachers & nursery staff say that this age group find it harder to hold conversations or focus on learning. Those with the highest screen time had learned the fewest words. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

One in eight teens (12%) has been asked to move, sell or hide drugs in the last year - with 28% of those children going through with it - according to research by the Youth Endowment Fund. The research involved almost 11,000 children in England & Wales. www.sec-ed.co.uk/content/news...

The House of Lords has published a briefing on Looked After Children. It states the definition of children in care & local authorities' responsibilities, how many children are defined as 'looked after', current issues with systems & what the govt is doing. lordslibrary.parliament.uk/looked-after...

#ThinkTheUnthinkable: A teacher has been struck off after being found guilty of a 'calculated pattern of behaviour' as he sought to foster inappropriate relationships with girls in a 'clear abuse' of position. He also sent explicit pictures to some girls. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...