Warning
For some people, the information within this bulletin maybe difficult to read and may result in emotions, memories or experiences which are hard to manage. If at any point, for any reason, you find reading this difficult, please do speak to someone you trust. That maybe your tutor, your manager, or a member of the safeguarding team.
Used, exploited, controlled: County lines and young lives
What is County Lines?
County Lines is a term used when gangs and criminal networks exploit children and vulnerable adults to transport drugs from cities to smaller towns and rural areas. This often involves crossing police boundaries – hence the term “lines.”How young people are affected Children and young people are often:
- Groomed with gifts, money or attention, then threatened or manipulated into criminal activity
- Used to carry drugs, cash, or weapons – sometimes over long distances
- Exploited sexually or physically, or made to stay in ‘trap houses’ far from home
- Controlled by fear, violence, blackmail, or debt bondage
Signs someone might be involved Look out for:
- Going missing for days or weeks at a time
- Unexplained money, gifts, or new phones
- Changes in behavoiour, secrecy, or isolation
- Travelling alone to unfamiliar areas
- Signs of assult or unexplained injuries
What employers should know
- Apprentices and young employees can be targeted, especially if they travel for work or have housing insecurity
- Know how to spot the signs and report concerns
What learners need to know
- If someone offers you money or protection in exchange for favours – it’s exploitation, not friendship
- You are not alone. Help is available, and speaking up is the first step to getting support
- You can report concerns to a trusted adult, DSL, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously
Where to get help
- Crimestoppers (anonymous) – 0800 555 111
- NSPCC – 0808 800 5000
- Fearless.org – Information and anonymous reporting for young people
- Local Safeguarding Team / DSL
- County Lines – National Crime Agency
Understanding the new UK guidance on trans and gender identity
What’s changing?The UK government has recently introduced or proposed new guidance and legislation around transgender rights and gender identity. These changes aim to clarify the balance between individual rights, safeguarding, and legal definitions under existing laws such as the Equality Act 2010.
What the law currently says
- The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on “gender reassignment”, a protected characteristic. This means trans people must not be unfairly treated in education, employment, or when accessing services
- There is no legal requirement for individuals to have undergone medical transition or hold a Gender Recognition Certificate to be protected under the Act
Recent government guidance and proposals
In schools (England):
- New government guidance says schools do not have to affirm a child’s new gender identity unless it is in the child’s best interests, considering age, and safeguarding
- Parental involvement is encouraged in decisions about name or pronoun changes for under 18s
- Single-sex spaces (e.g., changing rooms or sports) can remain biological sex-based where justified
In public services and and the workplace:
- The government is reviewing the legal definition of “sex” in the Equality Act, which may change how single-sex spaces and services operate in relation to trans people
- This includes potential changes to how prisons, hospitals, and refuges accommodate trans individuals
Why is this happening? The government says the changes are about:
- Ensuring safeguarding and clarity in schools and services
- Protecting women’s rights and single-sex spaces
- Addressing what it sees as confusion around gender identity policies
However, critics argue that:
- The changes may cause distress or discrimination for trans and non-binary people
- They could reduce the support and inclusion trans young people feel, especially in education
- It risks politicising personal identity issues
What it means for you
Others argue that:
- For learners: Your place of education must still treat everyone with respect and fairness. You have a right to learn in a safe, non-discriminatory environment
- For employees: Your workplace has a legal duty to prevent discrimination and provide reasonable support for all staff, including trans and gender-diverse people
- For everyone: These changes may affect how organisations approach pronouns, name changes, facilities, and safeguarding. Respect, dialogue, and understanding remain key
Key reminders
Others argue that:
- Respect people’s identities and lived experiences, even if you have different views
- If you are unsure about how to support someone, ask respectfully or seek advice from your organisation’s safeguarding or HR team
- If you feel you are being treated unfairly or discriminated against, speak to a manager, tutor, or designated safeguarding lead
PTSD – more than just a bad memory
Understanding PTSD: What you need to know
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after someone experiences or witnesses a traumatic event, such as violence, abuse, serious accidents, or military combat.
Key signs of PTSD:
- Flashbacks or nightmares
- Feeling constantly on edge
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma
- Emotional numbness or strong negative feelings
PTSD can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. It’s not a sign of weakness—it’s a serious condition that deserves support and understanding.
If you’re struggling:
Help is available. Speak to your GP, a mental health professional, or the safeguarding or wellbeing team.
With the right support, recovery is possible.
Useful contacts | Post-traumatic stress disorder | Mind – Mind
Stay safe this festival season: What you need to know about drink spiking
With festival season just around the corner, it’s a great time to get excited about music, friends, and unforgettable experiences. But it’s also important to be aware of risks – drink spiking being one of them.
What is drink spiking? Drink spiking involves adding alcohol, drugs, or other substances to someone’s drink without their knowledge or consent. This can lead to confusion, memory loss, unconsciousness, or worse – and it’s a criminal offence.
How to spot the signs If you or a friend starts to feel strange after drinking – especially if it’s out of proportion to the amount consumed – watch for signs like:
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurred vision or slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden drowsiness or passing out
- Memory gaps
What you can do to stay safe
- Keep your drink in sight: Don’t leave it unattended—ever
- Don’t accept drinks from strangers: Watch drinks being made or poured
- Use drink covers or test kits: Reusable drink protectors and testing strips are small and easy to carry
- Stick with your friends: Keep an eye on each other and have a check-in plan
- Act fast if you’re worried: Tell security or bar staff immediately. If someone is unwell, call 999 and stay with them
If you’ve been spiked It’s not your fault. Try to get to somewhere safe and report what has happened, get medical help, and talk to someone you trust. There is support available through the police, local safeguarding services, and specialist charities.
Festivals and going out should be fun, not frightening Being aware and looking out for one another helps everyone have a safer, more enjoyable time. Stay alert, stay safe, and enjoy the music!
For concerns or support, speak to your organisation’s safeguarding lead or visit Drinkaware for more information or click on a link below:
Drink spiking and date rape drugs | Drinkaware
Spiking: factsheet – GOV.UK
Online safety
Stronger protections for children
- Platforms must stop children from seeing harmful or age-inappropriate content (e.g., pornography, content promoting self-harm or eating disorders)
- Age checks must be in place where needed
- Companies must assess risks to children and offer age-appropriate experiences
- By 24 July 2025, in-scope services must complete risk assessments to protect children from harmful content
Safer online experience for adults
- Platforms must be clear about what potentially harmful content they allow
- Users will get tools to filter or block content that may be harmful but not illegal (e.g., abuse, hate content)
- Users will have better ways to report problems and control what they see
Criminal offences now in effect New offences include:
- Encouraging serious self-harm
- Cyberflashing
- False communications causing harm
- Intimate image abuse
- Threatening communications
- Epilepsy trolling
What platforms must now do New offences include:
- Remove illegal content such as:
- Child sexual abuse, terrorism, fraud, hate speech, and sexual exploitation
- Prevent this content from appearing in the first place
- Apply robust age-checks for online pornography
- Follow Ofcom’s codes of practice (the UK’s online safety regulator)
Categorised services Larger platforms (Category 1) will have extra duties, such as:
- Offering tools to help adults control what they see
- Enforcing their own rules fairly and transparently
- Allowing users to report issues and seek redress
Current Threat levels in the UK
Categorised services
- Low – an attack is highly unlikely
- Moderate – an attack is possible but not likely
- Substantial – an attack is likely
- Severe – an attack is highly likely
- Critical – an attack is highly likely in the near future
Get involved and be part of the solution:
Our Vision — The Resilience in Unity Project
Local news
Horror neo-Nazi plot for UK’s first-ever 3D printer terror attack thwarted | UK | News | Express.co.ukSchools need more lessons on violence against women and girls, charity says | ITV News
West Yorkshire:
Extreme right-wing group convicted of planning terrorist attack in West Yorkshire | Counter Terrorism Policing
Liverpool:
Schools need more lessons on violence against women and girls, charity says | ITV NewsIf you suspect terrorism-related activity or extremist involvement, it’s crucial to act responsibly. Here’s what you should do:
Immediate danger
If you believe an attack is imminent or there is an immediate threat, call 999 (or your local emergency number) immediatelySuspicious activity (not immediate danger)
- Report to Prevent Lead (Allison Collis) 07741 743618
- Report to the Police
- In the UK, you can report online via Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) or call the anti-terrorist hotline at 0800 789 321
- Grief and Bereavement – what you need to know
- Malala Day – and international human rights
- Suicidal awareness
- Turning self-neglect into self-care
Anonymous reporting
You can report concerns anonymously via Crimestoppers (0800 555 111) if you are uncomfortable disclosing your identityJuly edition