Training and development

We have worked with Full Fact to produce a misinformation training module for education practitioners, which was published on Hwb during the Autumn term 2022. The module aims to give practitioners a breadth of knowledge about how to tackle misinformation and support learners to effectively check sources of information and think critically about claims.

To ensure that all staff within schools are aware of the existing resources and guidance available to support them to understand, prevent and have the confidence to respond to incidents of online sexual harassment effectively, during 2022-23 we developed a training package, which incorporated:

• practical training for Designated Safeguarding Persons (DSPs) that included scenario based activities (training delivered December – March 2023)
• an online training module (published March 2023), accessible through Hwb, aimed at all education practitioners

We also worked with the National Cyber Security Centre to develop a bilingual online training module to support all school staff to recognise appropriate steps they can take improve their cyber hygiene practices including password security and identifying malicious cyber attacks. The adapted training was published in March 2023 and complements the existing bilingual phishing training which is currently available on Hwb.

Action status: Ongoing. 

In 2022 we supported three further ‘Online Safety Briefings’ virtually delivered as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre outreach work providing information on the latest online safety, trends, technologies, issues and research.

We also developed a new training module - Responding to incidents of sharing nudes and semi-nudes. This training module supports DSPs and senior managers within education settings to effectively respond to incidents of sharing nudes or semi-nudes. It accompanies the Welsh Government guidance, developed with the UK Council for Internet Safety - ‘Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: Responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people (2020)’. For further information please see action 7.7.

Action status: Ongoing

In 2020–21, we have delivered a series of virtual training webinars providing an update on online safety behaviours for professionals in Wales. The following topics were covered and are available to view on Hwb.

• Responding to harmful or viral online challenges
• Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: Responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people
• Demystifying Cyber - learn the basics of keeping safe and secure 
• Online safety trends

We supported three further ‘Online Safety Briefings’ delivered as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre outreach work providing information on the latest online safety, trends, technologies, issues and research.

Action status: Ongoing

In 2019–20, a bespoke programme of 18 days of training was delivered to the four regional consortia. The 18-day bespoke training programme requirements were agreed with each regional consortium digital leader. This training included six cluster leads/Challenge Advisors and leadership sessions, three cohort training sessions, a conference and seven well-being sessions. In total 21 training sessions took place with 657 delegates attending. Delegates’ feedback evaluations of the training provided was very positive.

In addition, a further five days were provided to enable additional training to be delivered and to provide support at two Regional Digital Learning Events. Unfortunately, due COVID-19, the remaining two Regional Digital Learning Events had to be cancelled.

Six ‘Online Safety Live’ events took place delivering an overview on online safety issues and challenges to 93 people. Sessions were held in Deeside, Anglesey, Wrexham, Llanelli, Porthcawl and Cardiff.

In October 2019, SWGfL also delivered training to 15 School Beat Officers in Cardiff.

During 2020–21, a series of four training webinars will be delivered to provide an update on online safety behaviours for professionals in Wales. These will cover topics including live-streaming, sharing nude images, online safety trends for children and young people, professional reputation, and updates on the 360 safe Cymru tool.

Action status: In progress.

In 2018–19, 24 half-day themed training sessions were offered to education practitioners and professionals. Of the 24 training sessions offered, 15 were delivered to a total of 165 delegates. The training covered the following themes:

• the internet and mental health
• GDPR and implications for schools.

Upon a mid-year review of the training programme, it was agreed that to maximise uptake and the attendance numbers the remainder of the 2018–19 training programme would be tailored to each regional consortia’s training priority needs. Each regional consortia approached their training offer differently, for instance some chose to train their challenge advisors and some focussed on 360 degree Cymru. Fourteen training sessions took place to 547 delegates.

Eleven ‘Online Safety Live’ events took place delivering an overview on online safety issues and challenges to 158 people. Sessions were held in Porthcawl, Llanelli, Colwyn Bay, Felinfach, Cardiff, Deeside, Anglesey, Aberystwyth, Caerphilly, Monmouth and Sully.

In January 2019, SWGfL also delivered training to 100 School Beat Officers over four sessions in Colwyn Bay, Carmarthen, Blackwood and Bridgend. In total 970 received training through this programme.

During 2019–20, a bespoke programme of 18 days of training is to be delivered to the regional consortia. This training programme will be agreed with each regional consortium digital leader.

Action status: In progress.

We will continue to develop and deliver an online safety programme. We will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to provide training to support practitioners and professionals.

During 2022-2023, we have continued to review and promote the Keeping learners safe training modules available through the Keeping safe online. To date the modules have received over 66,000 page views. To date the modules have received over 78,000 views.

During 2023, we will explore opportunities to further expand the safeguarding training modules to support schools in Wales.

Action status: Ongoing. 

Throughout 2022, we have continued to promote the Keeping learners safe training modules available through the Keeping safe online area on Hwb. To date the modules have received over 66,000 page views.

We will continue to promote the modules and their aims to education practitioners and governors through social media and the Keeping safe online area.

Action status: Ongoing.

In April 2021, we published refreshed training modules for educational professionals in line with updates to the Keeping learners safe guidance.

• Introduction to safeguarding – Keeping learners safe module 1
• Safeguarding roles and responsibilities – Keeping learners safe module 2
• Safeguarding practice case studies – Keeping learners safe module 3
• Online safety for practitioners – Keeping learners safe module 4
• Online safety for governors – Keeping learners safe module 5

Through our Keeping safe online area on Hwb we will continue to highlight the modules and their aims, and will encourage educational practitioners and governors to complete the modules as part of their individual professional development.

Action status: Ongoing

Throughout 2019–20, we have continued to promote the Keeping learners safe online training modules available through the Keeping safe online area on Hwb. To date the modules have received over 29,000 page views.

The modules will be refreshed in line with updates to the Keeping learners safe guidance and we will continue to encourage educational professionals to complete the modules as part of their individual professional development.  

Action status: Ongoing.

In 2018–19, we continued to promote the Keeping learners safe online safety training modules drawing attention to them on the Keeping safe online area on Hwb. To date the modules have received over 16,000 page views.

We will continue to promote the 'Keeping learners safe' modules. Using social media and the Keeping safe online area on Hwb we will continue to highlight the modules and their aims during 2019–20, and will encourage educational practitioners and governors to complete the modules as part of their individual professional development.

Action status: Ongoing.

To help embed the Keeping learners safe guidance, we published two e-learning modules and a case studies module, examining specific safeguarding situations which align closely with the content and the format of the Keeping learners safe guidance. The modules are for all staff within an educational setting and comprise of:

• an introductory module, which outlines what safeguarding is, laws, policies and the importance of creating a safe environment as well as busting some common myths
• a module to help all staff members understand how to safeguard learners, common processes and the role of the designated safeguarding person (DSP)
• an interactive module to assess their learning through case studies – designed to be completed alone, the case studies can also be taken out of the module and used during INSET days for a group of practitioners to discuss. 

Two new modules have been added to the Keeping learners safe suite, with a specific focus on online safety. Like the previous modules, these are publicly available on Hwb through a playlist. The new modules have been developed to empower all education practitioners and governors with a sound introduction to online safety and how this impacts on safeguarding learners.

They provide a background to the safeguarding issues that can occur online and detail some of the apps and services young people use. Each playlist also contains a range of links to useful and relevant documents and guidance.

Being safe and legal online is one of the five recognised basic digital skills that all citizens need in order to engage with digital safely and with confidence. Our procured programme, Digital Communities Wales: digital confidence, health and well-being (DCW), provides training and support to organisations across all sectors in Wales that can reach digitally excluded people, including around online safety. Since July 2019, DCW has supported 132,005 citizens with the motivation and confidence to use the internet safely and effectively. The programme has been extended until June 2025.

The Digital Heroes initiative is an intergenerational approach to digital inclusion related training whereby DCW engages and supports schools and colleges with the training of young people, enabling them to volunteer to support people in the community with the basics of using the internet safely. Since January 2023, 50 Digital Heroes have been trained in three schools across South Wales. In addition to this, Digital Heroes from one school in the Flintshire area delivered a presentation on internet safety to residents of Llys Raddington and also trained their peers in this area.

Through Learn My Way, which supports individuals to develop their basic digital skills with courses focusing on being safe online, over 26,300 courses have been started in Wales since March 2019, with a completion rate of 84%.

We will continue to promote and raise awareness of the training with schools. 

Action status: Ongoing.

Our procured programme, Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being: digital confidence, health and well-being (DCW) has been extended until June 2025. This ensures there is consistent and ongoing training and support available for organisations across Wales who can reach those digitally excluded. Being Safe and Legal Online is one of the five recognised basic digital skills seen as critical to ensure citizens of all age can engage with digital safely and confidently.

Further to the changes to pandemic related restrictions, DCW has started to engage and support schools with training Digital Heroes – youth volunteers. DCW has already supported a wide range of Digital Heroes including through the Welsh Baccalaureate with College Students carrying out a community challenge, to primary school children, with 47 digital heroes trained in September. In October DCW worked with schools across Flintshire who are tasked with delivering Digital Leaders projects and provided Digital Heroes training to four Digital Leaders from each primary school – with 200 young volunteers trained over the course of a day. In addition, each schoolteacher will be creating opportunities and partnerships for volunteering in the community, with two schools having already planned on creating digital cafes. This will provide the Digital Heroes with opportunities to support the wider community in basics of using the internet safely through an intergenerational approach.

Through Learn My Way, which supports individuals to develop their basic digital skills with courses focusing on being safe online, since March 2019, over 24,500 courses have been started in Wales with a completion rate of 84%.

Action status: Ongoing.

Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being (DCW) Programme continues to ensure tips on how to stay safe and secure online, including protecting privacy, forms a critical part of all training delivered to front line staff and volunteers.

Online safety formed a key part of the training that over 5,250 Digital Heroes (young volunteers) received, prior to the pandemic, to enable them to help older people in hospitals and care homes stay in touch with friends and family or access key online public services. Digital Heroes has been on hold since March 2020, but is seen as vital to reaching those digitally excluded. Pending a decision to extend the DCW contract from June 2022 to June 2025, we hope to work with schools and colleges to ensure training for Digital Heroes is available when regulations and circumstances are better suited, from summer 2022

We previously provided funding to ensure bilingual content was available through the ‘Learn My Way’ online basic digital skills platform. The platform supports individuals to develop their basic digital skills free of charge, at a pace and location convenient to them and includes resources on keeping your personal data safe, keeping your device safe and being safe online. Since March 2019 over 19,900 courses have been started in Wales with a completion rate of 85%.

Action status: Ongoing

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the support provided through our Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being Programme has had to adapt. This has included providing remote support through telephone, e-mail and, where appropriate, video to key organisations which will remain a core aspect for the foreseeable. In doing so, the programme has ensured being safe and legal is a core theme of all training provided to frontline staff and volunteers to ensure the knowledge and information is passed on to citizens.

Online safety forms a key part of the training that over 5,250 Digital Heroes (young volunteers) have received to enable them to help older people in hospitals and care homes stay in touch with friends and family or access key online public services, ensuring these individuals are not left behind. However, due to the pandemic the Digital Heroes support ceased in March 2020. We will continue to work with schools and colleges to ensure training for Digital Heroes is available when regulations and circumstances are better suited.

While we were unable to deliver Digital Heroes, we worked with Digital Communities Wales during the national lockdown on a new initiative named ‘Hwb Heroes’, which was launched by the Minister for Education in April 2020. This initiative called for children and young people to become ‘Hwb Heroes’ by creating messages to share with older and more vulnerable people across Wales. Over 1,000 messages were received and shared with care homes during the pandemic.

Through funding provided by us, bilingual content has been made available on the ‘Learn My Way’ online basic digital skills platform. This includes resources on keeping your personal data safe, keeping your device safe and being safe online. The platform supports individuals to develop their basic digital skills free of charge, at a pace and location convenient to them.

Action status: Ongoing.

Training provided by our £2m per annum Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being Programme includes tips on how to stay safe and secure online, including protecting privacy, which is passed onto citizens by front-line staff and volunteers.

Online safety forms a key part of the training our 4,600 Digital Heroes (young volunteers) have received to enable them to help older people in hospitals and care homes stay in touch with friends and family or access key online public services, ensuring these individuals are not left behind.

We have funded the Welsh translation of the ‘Learn My Way’ online basic digital skills platform, which includes resources on keeping your personal data safe, keeping your device safe and being safe online. The platform supports individuals to develop their basic digital skills free of charge, at a pace and location convenient to them.

Action status: Ongoing.

Our digital inclusion and basic digital skills policy focuses predominately on adults aged 16 and over, specifically the following four priority groups:

• older people
• disabled people
• those living in social housing
• those economically inactive and unemployed.

Trust, security and motivation remain key barriers to many engaging with digital technology. Addressing basic security concerns, and highlighting the precautions people should take, can increase users’ confidence in making the most of the vast opportunities the digital world offers. Non-users or limited users of digital technology are missing out on access to improved digital public services, better deals and cheaper goods, and improving their well-being, access to social connections, financial security and health.

Through our Digital Communities Wales: Digital Confidence, Health and Well-being Programme (July 2019 to June 2022) we will ensure being safe and legal online is embedded within our training delivery and resources for the following:

• front-line staff
• Welsh Baccalaureate digital inclusion community challenge
• Digital Heroes (young volunteers)
• Digital Companions (peer-to-peer volunteers).

To strengthen this, by working with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), we will look to signpost individuals and families to cyber security advice.

Despite counter-terrorism policy being a reserved matter, we continue to work closely with the UK Prevent Team and Counter Terrorism Policing Wales  (CTP Wales) to support our sectors in Wales in discharging their duties under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. There are three recently updated  Prevent training modules online, all of which are available in Welsh. You can download Welsh versions of the training course and view videos with Welsh transcripts.  We continue to work with colleagues in UK Government to ensure that all training materials, support and guidance are available bilingually.

Prevent Awareness

Prevent Awareness is an introductory course for anyone new to Prevent, those who are unsure of what Prevent is and what signs to look for when it comes to risks of radicalisation, awareness is the first course in our Prevent duty training. 

It’s for anyone working with members of the public on a regular basis, for example those who work in education, health, probation, police and local authorities. Members of the public who would like to learn more about how to identify behaviours that cause concern may also complete it.

Prevent Referrals

The Referrals course is primarily designed for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), Prevent professionals or equivalent roles who make Prevent referrals. If that responsibility is a part of your job role, regardless of your job title, then this course is for you.

It is also for anyone who may need to make a Prevent referral and those who might spot a concern and share it with their DSL or an equivalent so that they can make a referral to the police. 

Channel Awareness

Channel is a multi-agency programme across England and Wales that provides support to anyone vulnerable to being drawn into or supporting terrorism. This course is for Channel panel members, local authority Channel panel Chairs, and anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on a Channel panel.

CTP Wales works closely with our leads on the following.

• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• SchoolBeat Officer’s extremism inputs – there are 65 School Beat Officers across Wales already acting as a contact point for schools around this agenda and an improved module involving filming of an introductory ‘scene’ is in progress.
• Overlaps to cohesion/hate crime inputs – due to the cross-cutting nature of the agenda, Prevent work links to inputs provided both via some non-government organisations, e.g. Show racism the red card, and the broader safeguarding agenda (linking to online safety, etc.).
• Cardiff Schools - Cardiff is the only Home Office Prevent priority area in Wales and as such benefits from funding of a Prevent coordinator.
• Emerging initiatives - Our colleagues have supported briefings from CTP Wales to the First Minister around this agenda CTP Wales will continue to support our partners through the provision of information as they seek to develop/improve delivery of learning around the Prevent and safeguarding agenda.
• Schools lockdown - Understanding of the Protect/Prepare agenda often overlaps with Prevent and the consideration of school lockdown and reporting arrangements.

Action status: Ongoing.

Despite counter-terrorism policy being a reserved matter, we continue to work closely with the UK Prevent Team and Counter Terrorism Policing Wales  (CTP Wales) to support our sectors in Wales in discharging their duties under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. There are three recently updated  Prevent training modules online, all of which are available in Welsh. You can download Welsh versions of the training course and view videos with Welsh transcripts.  We continue to work with colleagues in UK Government to ensure that all training materials, support and guidance are available bilingually.

Prevent Awareness

Prevent Awareness is an introductory course for anyone new to Prevent, those who are unsure of what Prevent is and what signs to look for when it comes to risks of radicalisation, awareness is the first course in our Prevent duty training. 

It’s for anyone working with members of the public on a regular basis, for example those who work in education, health, probation, police and local authorities. Members of the public who would like to learn more about how to identify behaviours that cause concern may also complete it.

Prevent Referrals

The Referrals course is primarily designed for Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL), Prevent professionals or equivalent roles who make Prevent referrals. If that responsibility is a part of your job role, regardless of your job title, then this course is for you.

It is also for anyone who may need to make a Prevent referral and those who might spot a concern and share it with their DSL or an equivalent so that they can make a referral to the police. 

Channel Awareness

Channel is a multi-agency programme across England and Wales that provides support to anyone vulnerable to being drawn into or supporting terrorism. This course is for Channel panel members, local authority Channel panel Chairs, and anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on a Channel panel.

CTP Wales works closely with our leads on the following.

• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• SchoolBeat Officer’s extremism inputs – there are 65 School Beat Officers across Wales already acting as a contact point for schools around this agenda and an improved module involving filming of an introductory ‘scene’ is in progress.
• Overlaps to cohesion/hate crime inputs – due to the cross-cutting nature of the agenda, Prevent work links to inputs provided both via some non-government organisations, e.g. Show racism the red card, and the broader safeguarding agenda (linking to online safety, etc.).
• Cardiff Schools - Cardiff is the only Home Office Prevent priority area in Wales and as such benefits from funding of a Prevent coordinator.
• Emerging initiatives - Our colleagues have supported briefings from CTP Wales to the First Minister around this agenda CTP Wales will continue to support our partners through the provision of information as they seek to develop/improve delivery of learning around the Prevent and safeguarding agenda.
• Schools lockdown - Understanding of the Protect/Prepare agenda often overlaps with Prevent and the consideration of school lockdown and reporting arrangements.

Action status: Ongoing.

Despite counter-terrorism policy being a reserved matter, we continue to work closely with the UK Prevent Team and Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorist Unit (WECTU) to support our sectors in Wales in discharging their duties under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. Within the three current Prevent training modules available online, Welsh translation is available for the first two. You can download Welsh versions of the training course and view videos with Welsh subtitles. The Prevent training review will ensure that future training is available bilingually.  We continue to work with colleagues in UK Government to ensure that all training materials, support and guidance are available bilingually.

Prevent Awareness

An e-learning package introduction to the Prevent duty, with an aim of safeguarding vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.  There is work underway to consider and enhance Prevent training both in UK Government and in Wales through partnership working with WECTU and wider partners.

Prevent Referrals

This package builds on the Prevent awareness e-learning training. It is designed to make sure that when we share a concern that a vulnerable individual may be being radicalised, that the referral is robust, informed and with good intention, and that the response to that concern is considered, and proportionate.   Alongside the e-learning, a Prevent online referral form has been introduced to ensure that the referral process is as simple as possible.

Channel Awareness

This training package is for anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on, or even run a Channel Panel. It is aimed at all levels, from a professional asked to input and attend for the first time, to a member of staff new to their role and organising a panel meeting. 

Prevent e-learning portal

The UK Government continues to work with its contractors to enhance the training experience.  We will keep partner organisations updated on progress and timescales so that they may provide representation going forward. It is during this phase that the Welsh language requirements will be reviewed.

Prevent Training Manual

Partners across Wales are working in conjunction with UK Government colleagues to identify the training requirements under Prevent.  This is alongside the review of third party training provision and products that has taken place at the UK level.
This will provide sectors with assurance when purchasing training, but will also ensure that providers offer high-quality products that meet the Prevent agenda.  

WECTU work closely with our leads on the following.

• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• Schools Beat Officer’s extremism inputs – there are 65 School Beat Officers across Wales already acting as a contact point for schools around this agenda and an improved module involving filming of an introductory ‘scene’ is in progress.
• Overlaps to cohesion/hate crime inputs – due to the cross-cutting nature of the agenda, Prevent work links to inputs provided both via some non-government organisations, e.g. Show racism the red card, and the broader safeguarding agenda (linking to online safety, etc.).
• Cardiff Schools - Cardiff is the only Home Office Prevent priority area in Wales and as such benefits from funding of a Prevent coordinator.
• Emerging initiatives - Our colleagues have supported briefings from WECTU to the First Minister around this agenda. WECTU will continue to support our partners through the provision of information as they seek to develop/improve delivery of learning around the Prevent and safeguarding agenda.
• Schools lockdown - Understanding of the Protect/Prepare agenda often overlaps with Prevent and the consideration of school lockdown and reporting arrangements.

Action status: Ongoing

While counter-terrorism is not a devolved matter, we continue to work closely with the UK Prevent Team and Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorist Unit (WECTU). Within the three current Prevent training modules available online, Welsh translation is available for the first two. You can download Welsh versions of the training course and view videos with Welsh subtitles. The Prevent training review will ensure that future training is available bilingually.

Prevent Awareness
An e-learning package introduction to the Prevent duty, with an aim of safeguarding vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

Prevent Referrals
This package builds on the Prevent awareness e-learning training. It is designed to make sure that when we share a concern that a vulnerable individual may be being radicalised, that the referral is robust, informed and with good intention, and that the response to that concern is considered, and proportionate. 

Channel Awareness
This training package is for anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on, or even run a Channel Panel. It is aimed at all levels, from a professional asked to input and attend for the first time, to a member of staff new to their role and organising a panel meeting.

Prevent e-learning portal
The UK Government is currently in the process of working with a contractor to identify changes to the portal to comply with Government Digital Standards. A number of user interviews have been carried out to understand the user journey and highlight improvements to enhance the training experience. The next phase of the project will be to undertake the initial changes and carry out further consultation/user interviews where we and partner Prevent colleagues will have the opportunity to provide an input to the process. We will keep partner organisations updated on progress and timescales so that they may provide representation going forward. It is during this phase that the Welsh language requirements will be reviewed.

Prevent Training Manual (dated March 2016)
A review of third party training provision and products is currently taking place.
As part of the review, a training standards document will be produced for use by suppliers, and those purchasing training. This will provide sectors with assurance when purchasing training, but will also ensure that providers offer high-quality products that meet the Prevent agenda. A consultation will take place on the standards in due course.

WECTU work closely with our leads on the following.

• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• Schools Beat Officer’s extremism inputs – there are 65 School Beat Officers across Wales already acting as a contact point for schools around this agenda and an improved module involving filming of an introductory ‘scene’ is in progress.
• Overlaps to cohesion/hate crime inputs – due to the cross-cutting nature of the agenda, Prevent work links to inputs provided both via some non-government organisations, e.g. Show racism the red card, and the broader safeguarding agenda (linking to online safety, etc.).
• Cardiff Schools – Cardiff is the only Home Office Prevent priority area in Wales and as such benefits from funding of Prevent coordinator and extremism leads.
• Emerging initiatives – our education policy contacts have supported briefings from WECTU to the First Minister around this agenda. WECTU will continue to support our partners through the provision of information as they seek to develop/improve delivery of learning around the Prevent and safeguarding agenda.
• Schools lockdown – understanding of the Protect/Prepare agenda often overlaps with Prevent and the consideration of school lockdown and reporting arrangements.

Action status: Ongoing.

While counter-terrorism is not a devolved matter, we continue to work closely with the UK Prevent Team and Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorist Unit (WECTU).

Within the three current Prevent training modules available online, Welsh translation is available for the first two. You can download Welsh versions of the training course and view videos with Welsh subtitles.  

The Prevent training review will ensure that future training is available bilingually.

Prevent Awareness
An e-learning package introduction to the Prevent duty, with an aim of safeguarding vulnerable people from being radicalised to supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.

Prevent Referrals
This package builds on the Prevent awareness e-learning training. It is designed to make sure that when we share a concern that a vulnerable individual may be being radicalised, that the referral is robust, informed and with good intention, and that the response to that concern is considered, and proportionate. 

Channel Awareness
This training package is for anyone who may be asked to contribute to, sit on, or even run a Channel Panel. It is aimed at all levels, from a professional asked to input and attend for the first time, to a member of staff new to their role and organising a panel meeting.

Prevent e-learning portal
The UK Government is currently in the process of working with a contractor to identify changes to the portal to comply with Government Digital Standards. A number of user interviews have been carried out to understand the user journey and highlight improvements to enhance the training experience. The next phase of the project will be to undertake the initial changes and carry out further consultation/user interviews where we and partner Prevent colleagues will have the opportunity to provide an input to the process. We will keep partner organisations updated on progress and timescales so that they may provide representation going forward. It is during this phase that the Welsh language requirements will be reviewed.

Prevent Training Manual (dated March 2016)
A review of third party training provision and products is currently taking place.
As part of the review, a training standards document will be produced for use by suppliers, and those purchasing training. This will provide sectors with assurance when purchasing training, but will also ensure that providers offer high-quality products that meet the Prevent agenda. A consultation will take place on the standards in due course.

WECTU work closely with our leads on the following.

• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• Getting On Together (GOT) linked products – periodically linking in with the GOT project when providing input to teachers etc. on threat/risk referral processes.
  The GOT Project has modules which are used in schools in a number of local authorities in Wales. There are modules for secondary school learners and for learners under 11. There is also a European link through Erasmus-funded links.
• Schools Beat Officer’s extremism inputs – there are 65 School Beat Officers across Wales already acting as a contact point for schools around this agenda and an improved module involving filming of an introductory ‘scene’ is in progress.
• Overlaps to cohesion/hate crime inputs – due to the cross-cutting nature of the agenda, Prevent work links to inputs provided both via some non-government organisations, e.g. Show racism the red card, and the broader safeguarding agenda (linking to online safety, etc.).
• Cardiff Schools – Cardiff is the only Home Office Prevent priority area in Wales and as such benefits from funding of Prevent coordinator and extremism leads.
• Emerging initiatives – our education policy contacts have supported briefings from WECTU to the First Minister around this agenda. WECTU will continue to support our partners through the provision of information as they seek to develop/improve delivery of learning around the Prevent and safeguarding agenda.
• Schools lockdown – understanding of the Protect/Prepare agenda often overlaps with Prevent and the consideration of school lockdown and reporting arrangements.

Action status: Ongoing.

We will continue to work with The Welsh Extremism and Counter Terrorism Unit (WECTU), headteachers and safeguarding leads to provide appropriate training on matters relating to counter-terrorism, and ensure schools have procedures and processes in place, and that they are familiar with these procedures and processes. A key feature of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 is a duty on schools and colleges to ‘have due regard, in the exercise of their functions, to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. The UK Government published the Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales for specified bodies including education providers.

As part of Prevent there is a duty on schools to ensure that staff are trained to identify those at risk of radicalisation.

To support the implementation of Prevent we have:

• published and updated the version of our guidance document Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion and this includes an associated
  self-assessment toolkit; the guidance ensures that schools in Wales have information to help them meet the legal requirements of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015
• published Trust me Cymru, which is a bilingual version of the classroom resource created by Childnet as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre that tackles online bias and propaganda.

The then Cabinet Secretary for Education wrote to local authorities seeking assurances that schools have appropriate procedures in place.

In March 2023, we published the online module, Cyber security awareness training for school staff. The training aims to support school staff to help improve their school's cyber resilience. We will continue to promote and raise awareness of the training to all school staff in Wales.

Action status: Delivered. 

Working with the NCSC in early 2023 we will publish an online training module ‘Cyber security training for school staff’. The training provides education practitioners and professionals with basic skills and practical considerations raising awareness of the importance of cyber security and minimising risks presented by cyber attacks.

We will continue to promote and raise awareness of the training with schools. 

Action status: Ongoing

We will collaborate with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to deliver an online training package for education stakeholders in Wales. The training will provide education practitioners and professionals with basic skills and practical considerations raising awareness of the importance of cyber security and minimising risks presented by cyber attacks.

The online training will be delivered through Hwb and available to all school staff.

As part of the Programme for Government Commitments, Welsh Government have expanded the Ask and Act Programme to allow additional authorities to access Ask and Act Awareness training e.g. Police Forces and Housing Associations.

Officials are currently undertaking a review of the National Training Framework during 2023.

Action status: Ongoing.

As part of the Programme for Government Commitments, there will be an expansion of the Ask and Act Programme to allow non-relevant authorities to access Ask and Act Awareness training, for example, Police Forces and Housing Associations.

We will also be undertaking a review of the National Training Framework in 2023.

Action status: Ongoing.

We are committed to ending violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence (VAWDASV). We have made a commitment in our National Strategy on Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence that relevant professionals are trained to provide effective, timely and appropriate responses to victims and survivors. One of the key mechanisms for delivering the commitment is the VAWDASV National Training Framework.

One of the main functions of the National Training Framework is to provide consistent, proportionately disseminated training for relevant authorities to fundamentally improve the understanding of the general workforce and, therefore the response to those who experience VAWDASV.

We have produced a 45-minute VAWDASV e-learning module which is available nationally to the workforce of the ‘relevant authorities’ named in the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015. The module gives an overview of VAWDASV, and gives learners the knowledge they need to recognise the signs of abuse and know how they can refer victims to access further support from the 24-hour Live Fear Free helpline. 

We introduced ‘Ask and Act’, our early intervention and prevention training as targeted enquiry to be practiced by frontline professionals to identify VAWDASV. This is suitable to any relevant authority whose roles bring them into contact with victims of VAWDASV. The primary objective of ‘Ask and Act’ is to require relevant professionals to ‘ask’ potential victims about the possibility of domestic abuse in certain circumstances and to ‘act’ so suffering and harm as a result of the violence and abuse is reduced. 

In September 2022 we reviewed and updated the ‘Responding to incidents of sharing nudes’ guidance and shared the updated version, now available in html format, alongside the online training module to relevant networks, including SEG. We have also signposted to this training from the online sexual harassment training that was rolled out during 2022-23 to support schools with a cohesive response when handling incidents of sharing nudes as well as other forms of abusive behaviour online. 

Action status: Delivered. 

In October 2021 we published the Responding to incidents of sharing nudes and semi-nudes online training module. The training module can support DSPs and senior managers within education settings to effectively respond to incidents of sharing nudes or semi-nudes. It accompanies the Welsh Government guidance, developed with the UK Council for Internet Safety - ‘Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: Responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people (2020)’.

In September 2022 we reviewed and updated the ‘Responding to incidents of sharing nudes’ guidance and shared the updated version, now available in html format, alongside the online training module to relevant networks, including the Welsh Governments Safeguarding in Education Group. We plan to signpost to this training from the online sexual harassment training package that is being rolled out during 2022-23 to schools with a cohesive response when handling incidents of sharing nudes as well as other forms of abusive behaviour online.

Action status: Ongoing.

In December 2020 the Welsh Government published Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people guidance, as part of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) Education Working Group. To support schools to further embed the guidance as part of their safeguarding practices we will develop and promote supplementary online training that will support practitioners to understand the guidance and effectively safeguard and support children and young people.

During 2022-2023, we continued to provide training working closely with Local Authorities to deliver bespoke sessions for schools in their areas, this included providing bespoke session for Local Authorities in Merthyr, Newport and Gwynedd.

We will continue to provide both bespoke and open sessions for all schools in Wales during 2023-2024.

Action status: Ongoing.

During the autumn and spring terms of 2021-2022 we have delivered 9 virtual training events for senior leaders in schools in partnership with Tarian. We will continue to deliver this training during 2022-2023.

Action status: Ongoing

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) continues to respond to an increasing number of incidents and attacks as schools become a popular target for cyber criminals. In response, the Welsh Government has partnered with Tarian Regional Cyber Crime Unit (RCCU) to deliver immersive virtual training exercises for senior leaders in schools. The immersive virtual training exercise is designed to help head teachers and senior leaders develop a tailored approach to their preparation and planning for managing their response to the eventuality of a real cyber incident within their school.

During October 2022 we piloted the ‘Understanding, preventing and responding to online sexual harassment training’ for DSPs with key stakeholders, including local authority safeguarding leads.

We refined the training and supporting materials following feedback and between December and March 2023, the Welsh Government worked with Childnet, leading online safety experts, to deliver practical training to those with the role of Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) in secondary schools across Wales to help them better understand the issue and ensure an effective response to incidents of online sexual harassment when they occur.

An online training module, aimed at secondary school education practitioners, is also available through our Keeping safe online training area on Hwb. The training shares key findings from the Estyn report and highlights relevant guidance and resources to help all school staff better understand how to support learners with this issue. We have also created tailored advice for governors and families in recognition of the important role that they have in supporting schools and children and young people with this societal issue.

Action status: Delivered. 

During October 2022 we piloted the ‘Understanding, preventing and responding to online sexual harassment training’ for DSPs with key stakeholders, including local authority safeguarding leads. We are working with Childnet International to refine the training and supporting materials following feedback and plan to rollout between December and March 2023 to all 22 local authorities in Wales.

The online training module for all school staff is being developed and should be available on the Keeping safe online area later in the term.
We are also creating tailored advice for governors and families in recognition of the important role that they have in supporting schools and children and young people with this societal issue.

Action status: Ongoing.

Online sexual harassment has been identified as an area of growing concern, as evidenced by the findings of Estyn’s report, ‘We don’t tell our teachers: experiences of peer-on-peer sexual harassment among secondary pupils in Wales’ (December, 2021).

Through the Keeping safe online area of Hwb, we have developed resources to support practitioners to address this issue with learners in an age-appropriate way. Resources include the ‘Step up, speak up’ and ‘Just a joke?’ teaching toolkits, which are based on international research (Project deShame) and are designed to support a whole school approach in understanding, preventing and responding to online sexual harassment.

Guidance for education settings in responding to incidents of sharing nude and semi-nude images is also available, and an accompanying training module was developed and published in October 2021 to support schools to embed this guidance.

We have also published advice for children and young people so that they can develop their understanding of what online sexual harassment is and understand what to do and where to turn for help if this happens to them, or they are worried about something that has happened online.

It is a cross-government priority to ensure that every child and young person is supported with this issue and that they are able to report any concerns that they may have. A multi-agency ‘Peer on peer sexual harassment in education settings’ action plan is being developed, as a sister action plan to the Digital resilience in education action plan, which will include a focus on professional learning to ensure that practitioners can understand, prevent and respond to incidents effectively.

To ensure that relevant staff within schools are aware of the existing resources available to address the issue, and are confident in responding to incidents, we are looking to develop an Online sexual harassment training package.

In November 2022 we published a misinformation online training module for education practitioners which we developed with Full Fact. This training module aims to give practitioners a breadth of knowledge about how to tackle misinformation and support learners to effectively:

• Understand what misinformation is, the different forms it can take and the harms it can cause.
• Learn the basic skills for checking sources of information, and what it means to be trustworthy and untrustworthy.
• Learn the key critical thinking questions you can ask about any claim to work out if it is likely to be true.
• Learn the process used by fact checkers to find out whether something is true or not.

To accompany this training module, we published a Views from the experts article written by Full Fact’s training manager, Joe O’Leary, which explains the importance of critical thinking when exploring misinformation with children and young people in the classroom.

Action status: Delivered. 

During 2022 we have worked with Full Fact to develop an online training module for education practitioners to support them to understand the complexity of misinformation in an online world. 

We will continue to raise awareness of misinformation and provide support to schools and families.

Action status: Ongoing.

It is well understood that misinformation is one of the most pervasive and difficult issues of our time.  During 2021-22, we published a misinformation campaign – Stop the spread – on Hwb.  The campaign aimed to raise awareness of how to use critical thinking to stop the spread of misinformation.

Building upon this work, we will develop an online training module for practitioners to support them to understand the complexity of misinformation in an online world.