Collaboration

The Welsh Government continues to work closely with the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) to promote and support online safety, particularly with Safer Internet Day activities (see action 3.3).  

In June 2024 Welsh Government supported UKSIC with a series of Online Safety Live briefings in Wales, these briefings are part of a UK national programme.

Action Status: Ongoing.

During March 2023 we held national Keeping safe online conferences which took place in Llandudno and Cardiff and invited UKSIC directors to provide the context-setting keynote at the conferences.

Action status: Ongoing.

In November 2022 the UK Safer Internet Centre delivered a virtual Online Safety Live event for Wales.

The annual Safer Internet Day (SID) Stakeholder Planning Event organised by the UK Safer Internet Centre was held virtually on Thursday 24 November 2022. The event, attended by a range of educators and organisations, provided an opportunity to hear directly from the UK Safer Internet Centre about the 2023 campaign, and discuss and exchange ideas.

To support SID 2023 activity we continue to work closely with the UK Safer Internet Centre to ensure our annual SID competition complemented the UK national theme and we supported the creation of bilingual SID 2023 Education Packs for practitioners and families in Wales.

For further information on our SID activity see action 3.3.

Action status: Ongoing

During 2021, three ‘Online Safety Live’ events were delivered as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre outreach work providing an overview of current online safety trends and issues to education stakeholders in Wales.

The annual Safer Internet Day (SID) Stakeholder Planning Event organised by the UK Safer Internet Centre was held virtually on Tuesday 9 November 2021. The event, attended by a range of educators and organisations, provided an opportunity to hear directly from the UK Safer Internet Centre about the 2022 campaign, and discuss and exchange ideas.

To support SID 2022 activity we worked closely with the UK Safer Internet Centre to ensure our annual SID competition complemented the UK national theme and we supported the creation of bilingual SID Education Packs for practitioners and families in Wales.

Action status: Ongoing

In 2019–20, six ‘Online Safety Briefings’ were delivered as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre outreach work delivering an overview on online safety to 91 people. Sessions were held in Porthcawl, Llanelli, Cardiff, Deeside, Anglesey and Wrexham. Attendees included professionals from education, health and social services. Due to the impact of COVID-19 during March 2020, four briefings were cancelled.

The 2019–20 Safer Internet Day Stakeholder Information Event organised by the UK Safer Internet Centre was held on Wednesday 13 November 2019 in Cardiff. The event, attended by a range of educators and organisations, provided an opportunity to hear directly from the UK Safer Internet Centre about the 2020 campaign, and discuss and exchange ideas for collaborative involvement. 

Planning is under way to mark this annual event again in 2021. Safer Internet Day will take place on 9 February 2021 in Wales.

We worked with the UK Safer Internet Centre to host a virtual stakeholder information event on 12 November 2020 with the aim of supporting educators and organisers to get involved in Safer Internet Day 2021.

Action status: Ongoing.

In 2018–19, eleven ‘Online Safety Briefings’ were delivered as part of the UK Safer Internet Centre outreach work delivering an overview on online safety to 158 people. Sessions were held in Porthcawl, Llanelli, Colwyn Bay, Felinfach, Cardiff, Deeside, Anglesey, Aberystwyth, Caerphilly, Monmouth and Sully. Attendees included those from education, health and social services. Due to low registration, four briefings were cancelled.

During 2019–20, the UK Safer Internet Centre will deliver ten ‘Online Safety Briefings’ in Wales giving up-to-date information on the latest online safety trends, technologies, issues and research, as well as signposting delegates to resources and advice.

On Thursday 8 November 2018 the UK Safer Internet Centre held the Safer Internet Day Stakeholder Planning Event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. This event, attended by a range of stakeholders, provided an opportunity for them to hear directly from the UK Safer Internet Centre about what the 2019 campaign would involve, how they can support it and to exchange ideas about how they can get involved.

Planning is already under way to mark Safer Internet Day 2020, which will take place on 11 February 2020 in Wales.

Building on the success of the last event, we will work with the UK Safer Internet Centre to host a Stakeholder Information Event on 13 November 2019 to support organisations to get involved in Safer Internet Day 2020. 

A Safer Internet Day competition for children and young people was launched on the Online Safety Zone on Hwb in September 2019. The winner of the competition will be announced at an official Safer Internet Day event on Safer Internet Day itself.

Action status: Ongoing.

As part of its outreach work for the UK Safer Internet Centre programme of ‘Online Safety Briefings’, SWGfL, as partner in the UK Safer Internet Centre, will deliver briefing sessions across Wales. The sessions give up-to-date information on the latest online safety trends, technologies, issues and research, as well as signposting delegates to resources and advice. The events are designed specifically for any professional working with children and young people including school staff, safeguarding professionals, youth workers, police, social workers and health professionals.  

The Safer Internet Day stakeholder event will bring together key stakeholders to discuss the collaborative plans for Safer Internet Day each year.

We work closely with Ofcom as the appointed regulator for online safety to ensure the voices of children and young people in Wales are considered in their work. 

We continue to monitor wider UK digital regulations to assess the impact for schools in Wales.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2022 to 2023 a further three supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandums were laid to the Senedd in respect of provisions with the UK Government’s Online Safety Bill.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – November 2022 - in relation to additional provisions included within the Bill with regards to offences of sending or showing flashing images electronically.

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – December 2022 – in relation to the removal of clause 151: harmful communications offence from the Bill, note that consent sought within LCM (Memorandum No.2) is no longer required.

The Bill completed its passage through the House of Commons on 17 January and had its first reading in the House of Lords on 18 January. 

Supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum – June 2023 – in relation to a new offence of encouraging or assisting the serious self-harm of another person.

On 27 June 2023, the Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, moved the motion to the Senedd and recommended that consent is laid in relation to the five legislative consent memoranda. Following a short debate, the Senedd agreed the motion.

Action status: Ongoing. 

On 17 March 2022 the UK Government introduced the Online Safety Bill to parliament. During 2021-22 we worked with the UK government to include and exemption within the Bill for education institutions and childcare providers.

On 30 March 2022 a legislative consent memorandum was laid to the Senedd Cymru regarding the education and childcare exemption with the Online Safety Bill.

A supplementary LCM (SLCM) was laid on 28 September 2022 by the Minister for Economy in relation to some provisions within Part 10 of the Bill – Communications Offences.

We continue to work with UK Government counterparts to understand the future timetable for the Bill’s passage.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2021, we continued to engage with the UK Government on the development of the Online Harms agenda and how this would impact on Wales. The draft Online Safety Bill was published on 12 May 2021. Following its publication we have worked with the UK Government to ensure that Welsh education and childcare providers are included within a proposed education exemption the UK government is seeking to include within the final bill.

We also continue to engage with respect to the Online Media Literacy Strategy to empower users to make safe decisions in the online environment.

Action status: Ongoing

In 2019–20, we have continued to engage with the UK Government on the Online Harms agenda.

We have continued to engage with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office around the online harms agenda. We attended a roundtable session with DCMS, the Home Office and Ofcom.

During 2021, we will continue to engage with the UK Government on the development of the Online Harms agenda and how that will impact on Wales. We will also continue to engage with respect to the Online Media Literacy Strategy to empower users to make safe decisions in the online environment.

Action status: Ongoing.

In 2018–19, we have continued to engage with the UK Government and contributed to the development of the UK Internet Safety Strategy.

We engaged with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Home Office in the lead up to the publication of the Online Harms White Paper and provided contributions to the ongoing work impacting on online safety in Wales. During the consultation period Welsh Government officials met with officials from DCMS and the Home Office to discuss the details of the Online Harms White Paper and implications for devolved administrations, and subsequently submitted a response to the Online Harms White Paper.

During 2019–20, we will continue to engage with the UK Government on the development of the UK Internet Safety Strategy and the Online Harms agenda.

Action status: Ongoing.

We are engaging with the UK Government and contributing to the development of the UK Internet Safety Strategy.

We are committed to attending and representing Wales at the UKCIS executive board meetings as they occur. We are also represented following groups:

• Digital Resilience Working Group (see action 2.29)
• Education Working Group (see action 2.30)
• Early Warning System Working Group (see action 2.27)
• Vulnerable Users Working Group (see action 2.28)

Action status: Ongoing.

We are committed to attending and representing Wales at the UKCIS executive board meetings as they occur. We are also represented following groups:

• Digital Resilience Working Group (see action 2.29)
• Education Working Group (see action 2.30)
• Early Warning System Working Group (see action 2.27)
• Vulnerable Users Working Group (see action 2.28)

Action status: Ongoing

We continue to attend and represent Wales at the UKCIS executive board meeting and the UKCIS Education working group. We have become members of the Digital Resilience, Vulnerable Users and Early Warning System working groups.

Action status: Ongoing

We have continued to be represented at the UKCIS Executive Board meetings and the UKCIS Education Working Group. We are exploring further opportunities to work with UKCIS as part of their Digital Resilience and Vulnerable Users groups.

Action status: Ongoing.

The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) is the successor to the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), with an expanded scope to improve online safety for everyone in the UK.

The Executive Board of UKCIS brings together expertise from a range of organisations in the technology industry, civil society and public sector. During 2018–19, we have been represented at the UKCIS Executive Board meetings ensuring Wales was represented at a UK level. We have also recently become a member of the UKCIS Education Working Group.

During 2019–20, we will continue to be represented at the UKCIS Executive Board meetings and the UKCIS Education Working Group. 

Action status: Ongoing.

The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) is a group of more than 200 organisations drawn from across government, industry, law, academia and charity sectors that work in partnership to help keep children and young people safe online. The council was established in 2010 following a review by Professor Tanya Byron discussing, and taking action, on topical issues concerning children’s use of the internet.

We continue to provide updates on the latest developments, including which during 2024 has included sharing:

• updated ‘responding to incidents of sharing nudes’ guidance
• advice for education settings around sextortion
• ‘understanding online sexual harassment’ training opportunities
  ‘responding to online reputational issues and harassment directed at schools and school staff’ new guidance

Action status: Ongoing.

The Digital Resilience in Education team continue to attend SEG and provide an update of online safety issues, new resources, training opportunities and guidance.

We continue to work closely with SEG as key stakeholders, to ensure the expertise of the group contributes to the direction of digital resilience policy.

Action status: Ongoing. 

The Digital Resilience in Education team continue to attend SEG and provide an update of online safety issues, new resources, training opportunities and guidance.

We continue to work closely with SEG as key stakeholders, to ensure the expertise of the group contributes to the direction of digital resilience policy.

Action status: Ongoing

The Digital Resilience in Education team continue to attend SEG and provide an update of online safety issues, new resources and guidance.

We continue to work closely with SEG as key stakeholders, to ensure the expertise of the group contributes to the direction of digital resilience policy.

Action status: Ongoing

During 2019–20, the Safeguarding in Education Group (SEG) has continued to meet. As well as sharing good practice during meetings, SEG has been central to the update of the statutory guidance Keeping learners safe.

Regular updates on online safety and digital resilience issues have been provided, as well as details of newly published resources and events.

The SEG members are key stakeholders and their views and expertise continues to contribute to the direction of digital resilience policy.

We will continue to support SEG to draw together local authority leads and other partners to share good practice and complete project work in safeguarding.

Online safety and digital resilience continues to be a standard item on the SEG agenda.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Safeguarding in Education Group (SEG) has met three times during 2018–19. As well as sharing good practice during meetings, SEG has also helped to develop the revised statutory guidance Keeping learners safe for public consultation. They are regularly updated on our online safety activities with details of newly published resources and events.

We will continue to support SEG to draw together local authority leads and other partners to share good practice and complete project work in safeguarding. Members will be asked to support the implementation of the revised 'Keeping learners safe' guidance, post-consultation.

Online safety is now and will continue to be a standard item on the SEG agenda.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Safeguarding in Education Group (SEG) comprises of safeguarding leads across all local authorities in Wales, as well as other interested bodies such as Estyn and the Association of Directors of Education in Wales (ADEW). The group meets three times a year to share best practice and deliver an agreed programme of work. SEG also act as informal consultants for Welsh Government policies and projects.

As part of the development of the Curriculum for Wales the PSE Advisory Group will evolve to support the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience, this will include supporting RSE.

Action status: Closed

We continue to engage with the Personal and Social Education (PSE) Advisory Group, who provide quality assurance on teaching and learning resources before they are published and hosted on Hwb. The Curriculum for Wales framework was published earlier this year, and the group are informed on progress, particularly with regard to the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience and relationships and sexuality education (RSE).

Action status: Ongoing.

The Personal and Social Education (PSE) Advisory Group meets three times a year to provide quality assurance on teaching and learning resources before they are published and hosted on Hwb. As recognised specialists in their areas, members of the group have been asked to consider and provide advice on the impact of curriculum reform in Wales relating to the delivery of PSE and the links to the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience in Curriculum for Wales.

We will continue to use the PSE Advisory Group as a quality assurance for PSE-type lessons as required, and consider online safety issues as appropriate.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Personal and Social Education (PSE) Advisory Group has been established to provide a forum for discussing possible ways to support schools to deliver high-quality sessions relating to the Personal and social education framework for 7 to 19-year-olds in Wales.

The purpose of the PSE Advisory Group is to provide advice guidance and highlight opportunities to support schools in delivering high-quality PSE.

As recognised specialists in their areas, members of the group provide advice on the impact of curriculum reform in Wales relating to the delivery of PSE and the links to the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience of Curriculum for Wales.

Members of the group also provide quality assurance on learning and teaching resources before they are published and hosted on Hwb, the digital learning platform for Wales. This is to ensure high-quality consistent teaching support is hosted in one place for easy access for practitioners.

All resources on Hwb are being reviewed to ensure alignment with the Curriculum for Wales and where relevant to the RSE Code.

Action status: Ongoing.

The RSE guidance and code has been published on Hwb and it includes requirements for learning about social media and the implications and risks that can accompany use. We have ensured that the RSE guidance and code is referenced in relevant online safety guidance and training for schools to support a whole school and cohesive approach to RSE.

Action status: Ongoing.

Work is currently being undertaken to develop the RSE code and the supporting statutory guidance for schools with the external RSE working group.  We are working to ensure that online safety is a key part in the RSE code, which will provide detail on the core learning to schools. We have undertaken a mapping exercise to identify existing online safety resources that can support conversations around healthy relationships and ensured that these are tagged appropriately on Hwb. We will continue to raise awareness of the available guidance and resources that can support schools with preventative education on overlapping areas, such as sharing nudes and online sexual harassment. We will continue to work closely with the RSE working group and relevant policy leads as the focus of the work moves to new RSE resource development.

Action status: Ongoing

Curriculum for Wales was published in January 2020. It provides a methodology for designing a curriculum which incorporates, where appropriate, opportunities for learners to develop an understanding of relationships and sexuality education (RSE) as a cross-cutting element. Within Curriculum for Wales we are clear that schools and settings should create safe and empowering environments that build upon learners’ own formal and informal learning and experiences, offline and online.

RSE will include developmentally appropriate learning around the following thematic areas:

• rights and equity
• relationships
• sex, gender and sexuality
• sexual health and well-being
• violence, safety and support.

It is proposed that schools will have a duty to provide RSE. Further guidance will be published before 2022 to support this, including guidance on the topics and learning that support RSE and how each area of learning and experience can contribute to these.

Statutory guidance will be developed with practitioners and stakeholders over the coming months. 

Action status: In progress.

We accepted all of the recommendations of the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) Expert Panel in May 2018. To support the development of Curriculum for Wales, the SRE Expert Panel chair (Professor Renold) has worked with the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience Pioneer Schools to ensure that approaches were coordinated and that pioneers were informed by the work undertaken by the panel. 

The comprehensive body of evidence gathered by the SRE Expert Panel will support us as we take forward approaches to improving the delivery of relationships and sexuality education in schools, in the current and future curriculum.

Sex and relationships education (SRE) has been renamed to relationships and sexuality education (RSE). This change in name draws on the World Health Organisation’s definition of sexuality education, and will encourage schools to consider the wider array of topics identified in the SRE Expert Panel report and potential links with other areas.

Earlier this year we consulted on draft relationships and sexuality education (RSE) guidance and a summary of the consultation responses was published in July 2019.

Action status: In progress.

Online safety was a key area within the recommendations submitted by the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) Expert Panel in December 2017. The then Cabinet Secretary for Education accepted those recommendations in principal in May 2018. Online safety will play a key role in the future of relationships and sexuality education (RSE) the new updated name for sex and relationships education (SRE).

The Welsh Government has provided £300,000 in the 2024 to 2025 financial year for Technocamps (Swansea University). This programme, which is accessible across Wales, supports both practitioners and learners to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence in the use of technology, utilising contexts from the DCF such as coding and computational thinking.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Welsh Government continues to support schools deliver a curriculum which enables learners to develop high level of digital competence and where there are opportunities to extend and apply across all areas of the curriculum.

Action status: Ongoing. 

In February the Welsh Government published the Digital Professional Learning Journey (DPLJ) to support schools in developing and implementing their vision for digital learning, developing staff professional learning and support the effective implementation of the Digital Competence Framework with a view to developing learners’ digital competence.

We continue to work with practitioners and regional consortia to support and encourage a whole-school approach to embedding digital skills, knowledge and attitudes across all areas of the Curriculum for Wales using the refreshed Digital Competence framework published in January 2020.

Action Status: Ongoing

We continued to work with regional consortia to support schools in embedding the range of digital skills across the curriculum. Information from Estyn suggests standards of digital skills have improved across Wales, however we know further work is required to maximise the opportunities within schools to embrace and embed the Digital Competence Framework.   

We worked with the Digital Pioneers to refresh the Digital Competence Framework to align with Curriculum for Wales. The refreshed Digital Competence Framework was published in January 2020, alongside Curriculum for Wales guidance.

We will continue to work with practitioners and regional consortia to support and encourage a whole-school approach to embedding digital competence across all areas of the curriculum.

Action status: Ongoing.

Welsh Government officials worked alongside our Digital Pioneers and regional consortia to ensure our expectations were clearly articulated to schools. We reinforced communications comprising news about updated information materials, promotion of four new Digital Competence Framework ‘strand’ animations, school case studies and a Dysg Digital Competence Framework edition.

Working with the Digital Pioneers we have developed further support materials that are available on Hwb. Evidence from Estyn notes that schools have risen to the challenge of embedding digital competence into their provision, reporting many examples of innovative and interesting practice from across Wales.

Digital competence is a cross-curricular responsibility within Curriculum for Wales. We will continue to support schools to embed digital competence within their provision. 

Action status: Ongoing.

The Digital Competence Framework (DCF) which was made available in September 2016 supports learners to protect themselves online by embedding the digital skills, knowledge and attitudes across the whole curriculum that enable the confident, creative and critical use of technologies and systems.

The DCF has four strands of equal importance (Citizenship, Interacting and collaborating, Producing, and Data and computational thinking).

The focus of the Citizenship strand is on learners developing the skills and behaviours to contribute positively to the digital world around them which includes protecting themselves online. The Interacting and collaborating strand allows learners to explore both formal and informal methods of communication including social media and instant messaging. Learners will not only look at how to store data, but will consider the implications of data laws and how to share information appropriately.

We want to provide all teachers with confidence when integrating digital competence into their lessons. The Digital Pioneer Schools are now actively helping other schools with the implementation of the DCF and we want to maintain this momentum to ensure that they, together with regional consortia, are supporting schools with the necessary expertise. In addition, the Digital Pioneer Schools are continuing to develop materials which will be hosted on Hwb for all schools to access. Digital Pioneers are also working alongside Curriculum Pioneers on the development of the new areas of learning and experience to ensure that digital competence is effectively embedded across Curriculum for Wales.

Grant funding provided to the regional consortia for continued support for the Hwb programme came to an end in April 2021.

We will continue work closely with regional consortia to support the Hwb Programme and actively promote digital citizenship, and the safe and responsible use of digital technology.

Action status: Closed

£1.5m of grant funding is being provided as continued support for the Hwb Programme to regional consortia for three years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022.

The four regional consortia continue to offer a variety of support options and development opportunities under the programme.

In April 2020, the second year of Phase 3 of the grant began with £500k of funding made available. The expectations are that the regional consortia will continue to use the funding to continue to support the Hwb Programme and actively promote digital citizenship, and the safe and responsible use of digital technology.

Action status: In progress.

The Learning in Digital Wales (LiDW) CPD Grant (Phase 2) – £1.45m of grant funding – was provided as continued support for the Hwb Programme to regional consortia for three years from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2019.

For its final year (2018–19), the LiDW CPD Grant was subsumed into the Regional Education Consortia School Improvement Grant (REC SIG). The four regional consortia offered a variety of support options and development opportunities under the programme during this period.

In April 2019, Phase 3 of the grant began with £500k of funding made available for the first year. The expectations are that the regional consortia will use the funding to continue to support the Hwb Programme and actively promote digital citizenship, and the safe and responsible use of digital technology.

Action status: In progress.

Previously known as the Learning in Digital Wales (LiDW) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Grant (Phase 3), a further £1.5m of grant funding was agreed and made available via the Regional School Improvement Grant in April 2019. The grant will provide continued support for the Hwb Programme to regional consortia for three years from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022.

Activities focus on:

• providing support to practitioners in schools to develop their confidence and competence in using the range of digital resources and tools available through the Hwb Programme
• providing capacity for expert ‘Digital Leader’ support which will coordinate support for schools across the regional consortium in adopting and exploiting the Hwb tools and activities
• actively promoting digital citizenship in relation to the safe and responsible use of the tools and resources available through the Hwb Programme and in relation to digital technology more widely
• supporting practitioners in developing their own leadership and digital literacy skills in line with the development and implementation of Digital Competence Framework and Curriculum for Wales
• supporting the ongoing development of the Hwb Programme by supporting our Digital Learning Unit in gathering feedback from education practitioners to inform the future direction of the programme.

The Wales Internet Safety Partnership continues to meet quarterly. At the meetings representatives from a range of organisations with an interest in online safety for children and young people discuss their priorities, activities and any significant issues that are relevant to the group. This information supports the development of our priorities for digital resilience in education.

Action status: Ongoing.

WISP continues to meet quarterly and key updates can also be shared with members through an online noticeboard.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to attend the Wales Internet Safety Partnership (WISP) and provide secretariat to the group. The forum provides useful insight on the current and planned work of key partners in Wales and opportunities for collaboration.

Action status: Ongoing. 

We continue to attend the Wales Internet Safety Partnership (WISP) and provide secretariat to the group.

Officials from Digital Resilience in Education and Digital Inclusion continue to input to the forum and gain insight into children and young people’s online behaviours to raise awareness of current trends and potential risk.

We are committed to continuing engagement with WISP and working with its members.

Action status: Ongoing

Throughout 2019–20 we have continued to attend the Wales Internet Safety Partnership (WISP) with officials from Digital Inclusion and Digital Resilience in Education attending.

To support the continuation of the group, we have provided secretariat to the group since December 2019. 

In addition to providing updates on work programmes we have used this forum to discuss and gain intelligence on the impact of COVID-19 on children and young people’s online behaviours and subsequently raise awareness of the potential risks.

We are committed to continuing engagement with WISP and working with its members.

Action status: Ongoing.

Throughout 2018–19 we have continued to attend the Wales Internet Safety Partnership (WISP) with officials from Digital Inclusion and Digital Learning attending and providing updates on work programmes.

We are committed to continuing engagement with WISP and working with its members. This engagement will continue going forward.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Wales Internet Safety Partnership (WISP) was founded by BT Wales and WISE KIDS in May 2007. It is an informal partnership of representative member organisations in Wales (or whose remit covers Wales), which have an interest in promoting digital literacy for children and young people in Wales.

The aim of WISP is to promote digital literacy for children and young people in Wales, through the sharing of information, knowledge, ideas, resources and good practice among members. The broader aim of WISP is to engage children and young people more effectively to enable them to:

• better understand the digital world
• be effective users of online technologies
• assess online risk, and manage their personal safety and digital identities.

We have published guidance for governing bodies, pupil referral management committees, and boards and trustees of educational settings, including education other than at school (EOTAS) settings, about keeping safe online.

The Keeping safe online area on Hwb is available publically to all, ensuring learners and their parents and carers have access to the extensive suite of digital resilience educational resources.

Action status: Closed.

We continue to implement the Education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) Framework for Action. Where appropriate, online safety within EOTAS settings will be included.

Action status: In progress.

In December 2017, we published the Education otherwise than at school (EOTAS) Framework for Action – the culmination of two years sector engagement and discussion by the cross-sector EOTAS Task and Finish Group. The overarching aim of the framework is to increase the equality of opportunity for learners accessing EOTAS provision, to better enable them to fulfil their potential.

The EOTAS Delivery Group, which includes representatives from EOTAS provision, local authorities and mainstream schools, has been established to oversee the implementation of the framework. In implementing the 34 proposals within the framework, the EOTAS Delivery Group will be exploring how access to pastoral services such as careers advice, counselling and Hwb can be improved for EOTAS learners.

The final full evaluation report of the CAMHS school in-reach pilot was published on 7 June. Ministers have made £5m available in the current year for national rollout of the pilots and LHBs are in the process of establishing and recruiting to the new services.

Action status: Closed.

The Ministers for Education and for Health and Social Services have agreed to continue funding the pilots throughout 2020–21, with additional funding of almost £1m, which includes funding to recruit more mental health practitioners to the pilots to meet increased capacity. The Ministers have also agreed to extend the pilots until July 2021, recognising the important role of the pilots in meeting the long-term well-being needs of learners affected by COVID-19. 

An interim evaluation of the pilots was published in July 2020.

Action status: In progress.

We have agreed to fund £1.4m to pilot mental health in-reach support to schools for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).The mental health in-reach services provide specialist health support, advice and training to schools. While this does not specifically focus on online safety, it will provide school staff with the skills and confidence to respond to learners displaying signs of emotional distress. School staff will be better positioned to have conversations with learners about their mental health and will be more effective at signposting learners to the right support at the right time.

Pilots in place in six local authorities and four local health board areas will continue operating until summer 2020. An evaluation contract is in place with an interim evaluation due December 2019 and final evaluation in December 2020.

Action status: In progress.

Our mental health in-reach to schools pilot aims to help and support teachers to respond to children and young people who are experiencing difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, and compulsive, self-harm or conduct disorders. Mental health issues may, in some cases, be due to or exacerbated by, digital technology.

The funded pilot activity will cover two full academic years, concluding in the summer of 2020. There will be a specific focus on early identification and intervention. The pilot will run in three areas – Betsi Cadwaladr University Local Health Board for north east Wales (Wrexham and Denbighshire); Aneurin Bevan Local Health Board for south east Wales (Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and south Powys); and Hywel Dda Health Board in west Wales (Ceredigion).

Funding also includes provision to evaluate the pilots, and the evaluation will inform future policy direction.

We published the refined Curriculum for Wales guidance in January 2020, which reflected the importance of online safety issues, particularly in the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience.

We will continue to work with practitioners and other stakeholders to ensure that schools and practitioners are supported to realise Curriculum for Wales, including this aspect.

Action status: Delivered.

Online safety has been considered by the Pioneer Schools developing Curriculum fro Wales and is reflected in the what matters statements of a number of areas of learning and experience including Health and Well-being, and Science and Technology. The draft Curriculum for Wales 2022 was published for feedback on
30 April 2019. The feedback period ran until 19 July 2019 and the refined Curriculum for Wales will be made available in January 2020.

One of the four purposes of Curriculum for Wales is for learners to develop as healthy, confident individuals who know how to find the information and support to keep safe and well, and form positive relationships based upon trust and mutual respect. The Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience supports learners to process and respond to experiences online, make safe decisions when engaging online and to recognise unhealthy or harmful relationships online. Curriculum for Wales has more emphasis on equipping young people for life. Digital competence will be a cross-curricular theme, together with literacy and numeracy.

In addition to digital competence, Curriculum for Wales includes computation as a strand of learning within the Science and Technology Area of Learning and Experience. While this is focussed on developing understanding of the key concepts that underpin computer science, within that we expect the issue of online safety to be covered.

Action status: In progress.

Curriculum for Wales has been developed by teachers and practitioners through a network of Pioneer Schools in partnership with us, regional consortia, Estyn, Qualifications Wales, higher education, business and other key partners.

Curriculum for Wales is structured around six areas of learning and experience, one of which is Health and Well-being. Through the Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience, learners will gain knowledge and understanding of how their environment, including the online environment, mind and physical state affects their health, well-being and readiness to learn throughout their lives.

The review of the programme by the police took place and it was agreed that the funding was continued for the programme in 2019–20. We have also confirmed that funding for the programme will be maintained for 2020–21.

We have consulted closely with the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme in developing the Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people guidance for education settings (to be published in December 2020). This has ensured that relevant information and advice is included on the important role that School Community Police Officers can have in supporting schools to handle incidents of sharing nudes and semi-nudes.

Action status: Closed.

We provide funding for the All Wales Schools Liaison Core Programme (AWSLCP) in partnership with the police. The programme delivers education on substance misuse and wider community and personal safety issues, including online safety, at all key stages of the curriculum among a range of other lessons. 

Discussions are ongoing between officials and the police to examine at how the programme will look beyond 2020 taking into account other youth and early intervention programmes. As part of this, the programme is currently being reviewed with the police leading on this. We will work with partners on considering the recommendations from the review of the programme and, in particular, how it will complement the work undertaken on curriculum reform.

NCSC are developing a new approach to ensure Cyber First can successfully scale and maximise the available opportunities.  We continue to engage with the NCSC to explore how this new approach will develop.  We will continue to promote the opportunities available as part of the NCSC’s Cyber First programme to learners across Wales through Hwb.  

This year’s regional final of the Cyber First Girls Competition was hosted by Cardiff University, in Abacws, the new £39m home of the university’s School of Computer Science and Informatics.

This year’s final saw 11 teams for across Wales competing in challenges covering topics from networking and Artificial Intelligence to cryptography and logic.

The winning team was from St Joseph’s RC High School in Newport and the four team members received new laptops in recognition of their achievements and will attend a grand prize giving dinner and celebration day hosted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in London later this year.

Following a pilot, in 2023, the University of South Wales in partnerships with the universities of Bangor and Swansea launched the NCSC’s CyberFirst Schools and Colleges programme in Wales. 

Wales now has 18 Cyber First schools that have been recognised by the NCSC as providing opportunities for students to develop their cyber security and computing skills. These are supported by 36 Cyber First Ambassadors, drawn from across a range of organisations in Wales. Within this year, the Welsh partnership has engaged with 4271 students and 67 schools took part in the annual NSCS girls competition

The programme delivered in collaboration Technocamps and the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) programme was created by the NCSC to help young people explore their passion for tech by introducing them to the fast-paced world of cyber security.

We will continue to promote the opportunities available as part of the NCSC’s Cyberfirst programme to learners across Wales through Hwb.

Action status: Ongoing. 

The regional final of the Cyber First Girls Competition 2022 took place in Newport on 5 March, the final saw learners work in teams to tackle cyber-related puzzles covering topics from networking and AI to cryptography and logic.

The winning team was from Dyffryn Taf School, Whitland, Carmarthenshire. Further information on the competition is available on Hwb.

We continue to promote the opportunities available through the NCSC Cyberfirst programmes to learners across Wales.

Action status: Ongoing

We continue to work closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to raise the profile and take up of Cyber First programmes in Wales.

To support the promotion of Cyber First opportunities in Wales we have created a dedicated Cyber First presence on the Keeping safe online area of Hwb.

During 2020 we worked with the NCSC to pilot the Cyber First Schools Programme. In the first round of applications Coleg Gwent and Bridgend College received recognition as Gold Standard CyberFirst Colleges. A second round of applications were invited and in February 2021 six further schools and colleges in Wales were recognised for excellent cyber security teaching by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Two colleges and one school received Gold– Cardiff and Vale College, Coleg Cambria and Cardiff High School – with three further schools receiving Silver certification, Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Rougemont School and St Joseph RC High School.

During 2021, we have worked with the NCSC to promote the 2021 girls competition in Wales. At this year’s Grand final Wales was represented by Gwernyfed High School who competed in a virtual final for the first time, applying their skills in cryptography, logic and networking.

We continue to promote CyberFirst courses including Trailblazers, Adventurers, Defenders and Futures throughout 2021 that have been delivered virtually.

Action status: Ongoing

We have worked closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to raise the profile of Cyber First programmes in Wales.

Cyber First Girls Competition

The Cyber First Girls Competition provides a fun but challenging environment to inspire the next generation of young women to consider a career in cyber security. The competition is open to girls in Year 8 across Wales and equivalent across the rest of the UK. We supported the NCSC in promoting the competition across Wales. The 2020 final was hosted for the first time in Wales (Cardiff) and saw eight teams take on the fictional scenario of protecting the Olympic Games from cyber attacks.

We are working with the NCSC to promote the 2020–21 competition with the aim of increasing entries from Welsh learners. 

Cyber First Courses

We have worked with the NCSC to promote the Cyber First summer residential courses which this year have taken place virtually. These courses are aimed at young people aged 14 to 17 and provide a valuable introduction into cyber security. We continue to work with the NCSC to promote these to learners across Wales.

Cyber First Schools

During 2020 we have worked with the NCSC to pilot the Cyber First Schools Programme. The programme seeks to build a talent pipeline in technology and cyber security to meet the UK’s future need through the recognition of schools whose approach to cyber is excellent. We supported the NCSC in establishing a bilingual application process for Welsh schools and colleges and the promotion of the opportunity across Wales.

We are committed to supporting the promotion of Cyber First opportunities across Wales and are currently looking to develop a dedicated presence for Cyber First on the Keeping safe online area of Hwb.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Cyber First programmes from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) provide young people with the opportunity to learn more about cyber security. We are keen to ensure that young people in Wales are aware of and able to benefit from these courses.

We continue to support Get Safe Online campaigns and publish expert tips through Hwb. This partnership contributes to our broader programme of work to raise awareness of online fraud and scams.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to promote Get Safe Online’s advice through relevant communication channels and as part of wider campaigns, such as the ‘Don’t let spending be the game’ information page.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to engage with Get Safe Online and have published a selection of their leaflets bilingually on Hwb to support families with tips to help them avoid falling victim to financial or identity theft online.

Action status: Ongoing

We continue to work with wales.getsafeonline.org to raise awareness and education on how adults can stay safe online.

Through Hwb we work to promote campaign activity relevant for children and young people, their families and education stakeholders.

We commissioned a ‘Views from the experts’ piece from Get Safe Online focused on in-game purchasing to support our December 2021 online gaming campaign aimed at families.

Action status: Ongoing

We continue to fund wales.getsafeonline.org in order to fulfil the needs of Welsh-speaking adults for dynamic and relevant information on how to stay safe online, and to host, maintain, update and amplify awareness and education for both Welsh first-language speakers and increase uptake through bilingual provision.

Action status: Ongoing.

Priority sections of advice on the Get Safe Online website, some of which will be relevant to children and young people, have been translated into Welsh using Welsh Government funding.

During 2024 We continue to share updates and discuss emerging issues with Internet Matters via the UKCIS Vulnerable Users working group meetings This enabled a joint approach to celebrate Safer Internet Day 2024, with young people from Ireland and Wales collaborating in a video in which they shared their ambitions for internet safety.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2023 we have continued to represent Wales at quarterly meetings with the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Northern Irish Executive and the Department of Education in England. Facilitated by the UK Safer Internet Centre we continue to share good practice and approaches to responding to digital resilience issues in education.

We have also established regular meetings with Webwise, part of the Irish Government to share the latest developments, current priorities and identify opportunities to join up.

Action status: Ongoing. 

During 2022 we have continued to engage with the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Northern Irish Executive and the Department of Education in England to discuss digital resilience issues including online safety and cyber security, working to develop approaches to respond to issues and sharing good practice. The collaboration is facilitated by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to engage with the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Northern Irish Executive and the Department of Education in England to discuss digital resilience issues including online safety and cyber security, working to develop approaches to respond to issues and sharing good practice. The collaboration is facilitated by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Action status: Ongoing

We take part and contribute in quarterly conference calls with the Scottish Government, Education Scotland, Northern Irish Executive and the Department of Education in England to discuss online safety issues, approaches to responding to issues and sharing good practice. The collaboration is facilitated by the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Action status: Ongoing.

Recognising the universal issues online safety entails, we will engage with Scotland, Northern Ireland and England to share good practice and lessons learned, as well as exploring any opportunities for collaboration.

We worked with Google and ParentZone to facilitate the translation of the Be Internet Legends resources in to Welsh in order to host them on Hwb and make available to all schools in Wales.

During 2020 we continued to work with Google and ParentZone to promote teacher workshops designed to help schools to understand the online safety landscape and meet challenges during the pandemic and beyond.

We are currently undertaking initial scoping work around the Be Internet Citizens Education Programme, Google’s Digital Citizenship Education Programme, run in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Action status: Delivered

We worked with Google and ParentZone to facilitate the translation of the Be Internet Legends resources in to Welsh in order to host them on Hwb and make available to all schools in Wales.

On 14 November 2019 Google and Parent Zone hosted a teacher training event at Cardiff Castle and the Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams MS, filmed a message of support to encourage the take-up of these resources in Wales.

The resources were published bilingually on Hwb in January and to promote their availability the Minister for Education attended Ysgol Gymraeg Aberystwyth along with representatives from Google and ParentZone to observe a classroom who were trialling the newly available Welsh resources.

Feedback has been positive and we have had initial discussions about supporting the translation of the Be Internet Citizens Education Programme, which is Google’s Digital Citizenship Education Programme, run in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. This programme aims to empower young people aged 13 to 15 to be responsible and have a positive voice online by teaching them vital digital citizenship and critical thinking skills

Action status: In progress.

We will work with Google and ParentZone to support the roll out of their online safety education programme Be Internet Legends – a programme which seeks to empower children aged between 7 and 11 to be safe and confident explorers of the online world. 

In September 2019, we published guidance for teachers, professionals, volunteers and youth services Responding to issues of self-harm and thoughts of suicide in young people. The guidance provides practical steps about what to do if someone presents with self-harm. While the guidance is aimed at paid and unpaid staff, it does gives some practical tips for family and friends.

In June 2020, we launched the Young Person’s Mental Health Toolkit on Hwb, which directs young people, aged 11 to 25, to a variety of online resources which can help them through the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown and beyond. In each of the six sections there are websites, apps, helplines, and more which support mental health and well-being.

The toolkit provides links to websites, such as Papyrus, dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, and Young Minds mental health support. It also includes a link to the Stay Alive app, a suicide prevention resource, the distrACT app which was developed to support young people who self-harm, and to resources such as Heads Above The Waves which promotes positive, creative ways for young people to deal with depression and self-harm.

Action status: Delivered.

Working with the National Advisory Group for Suicide and Self-harm and Swansea University, we will produce online guidance for teachers and other professionals aimed at normalising conversations with young people on self-harm and suicide for publication during 2019–20. This will be supplemented by further guidance in 2020–21, commencing with a toolkit designed by and for young people to improve knowledge around self-harm postings online, the impact of online bullying and empathetic bystander interventions.

We continue to work with the NCA to ensure that key information is shared with stakeholders on Hwb.

On 29 April 2024, the NCA issued a rare alert regarding the increase in instances of financially motivated sexual extortion or ‘sextortion’.

The NCA has reported that a large proportion of cases involve teenagers, often male victims between 14 and 18. To ensure that schools and education settings in Wales are aware of this alarming trend, officials worked with the NCA to coordinate the publication and communication of the alert in Wales through Hwb.

NCA shared the impact report that showed that across the UK in the month following publication, the alert was downloaded over 22,500 times.

Action status: Ongoing.

We have worked with the NCA to translate and publish dark web fact sheets for professionals and parents and carers on Hwb. These fact sheets are intended to support informed conversations with a young person if there are concerns that they may be going on the dark web.

Action status: Ongoing. 

We continue to refer to CEOP on the Keeping safe online area to enable Hwb users to report incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, both online and offline.

We have closely worked with the Education Team at CEOP, who deliver the Thinkuknow Education Programme, to make their flagship education resources available in Welsh. The following Thinkuknow resources will be available on the Keeping safe online area on Hwb in both the Welsh and English languages:

• Send me a pic? – online safety education for 11 to 14 year-olds
• Jessie & friends – online safety education for 4 to 7 year-olds 
• Play, Like, Share – online safety education for 8 to 10 year-olds 
• Online Blackmail – online safety education for 15-18 year-olds 

We will continue to work with the Education Team at CEOP to explore opportunities to make further resources available in Welsh for children and young people in Wales.

Action status: In progress

The Click CEOP button will continue to be available on the Keeping safe online area to enable Hwb users to report incidents of sexual abuse and exploitation of children, both online and offline.

We have worked with the Education Team at CEOP, who deliver the Thinkuknow Education Programme, to make their key education resources available in Welsh. The following Thinkuknow resources are now available on the Keeping safe online area on Hwb in both the Welsh and English languages:

• Online safety home activity packs
• Delivering online safety at home – In-game chat
• Delivering online safety at home – Live-streaming on social media
• Delivering online safety at home – Sharing images (primary)
• Delivering online safety at home – Sharing images (secondary)
• Delivering online safety at home – Cyber security
• Delivering online safety at home – Watching videos online

We will be publishing the following resources during 2020:

• Jessie & friends – online safety education for 4 to 7 year-olds
• Play, Like, Share – online safety education for 8 to 10 year-olds
• Send me a pic – online safety education for 12 to 14 year-olds

We will continue to work with the Education Team at CEOP to make further resources available in Welsh for children and young people in Wales.

Action status: In progress.

The Click CEOP button is an asset of the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Command. The National Crime Agency (NCA) is committed to protecting the public from serious and organised crime, and CEOP’s role is to tackle the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, both online and offline. CEOP pursue those who sexually exploit and abuse children, prevent people becoming involved in child sexual exploitation, protect children from becoming victims of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, and prepare interventions to reduce the impact of child sexual exploitation and abuse through safeguarding and child protection work. The Education Team at CEOP deliver the Thinkuknow Education Programme that aims to empower and protect children and young people from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Thinkuknow includes films, animations, websites, presentations and lesson plans to enable professionals to explore difficult and sensitive issues safely with children and young people. The animations/film resources are accompanied by toolkits and delivery guidance documents to help professionals explore their themes with children and young people.

Welsh Government officials have been working with the British Irish Council digital inclusion work sector to support Safer Internet Day (SID) in recent years. This has seen a series of resources, aimed at those aged 16 and over, using the branding of ‘Be Safe. Be Included. Be Connected’. The first infographic, ‘Be Safe’, containing tips for using a secure password and carrying out software updates, was launched on SID 2020, with a bilingual version translated by us, available to all organisations in Wales through our Digital Communities Wales Programme.

The second infographic, Be Included, was launched on SID 2021 and provides simple tips for getting started in the online world. The third infographic was launched at the digital inclusion work sector Ministerial in early March 2021, Be Connected, and covers helpful ways to get connected, making the most out of the online world and highlighting the benefits available.

At the Ministerial it was agreed for the work sector to continue to collaborate on the themes of promoting online safety and digital skills, and addressing digital inclusion across the Member Administrations, continuing to share best practice in these areas.

Action status: Delivered.

Welsh Government officials have been working on the development of a set of resources aimed at those aged 16 and over using the branding of ‘Be Safe. Be Included. Be Connected’. The first infographic, ‘Be Safe’, containing tips for using a secure password and carrying out software updates, was launched on Safer Internet Day (SID), 11 February 2020. A bilingual version of the infographic, translated by us, was made available to all organisations in Wales through our Digital Communities Wales Programme.

A further two infographics, which will follow the ‘Be Included’ and ‘Be Connected’ themes, were originally intended to be published in summer 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the British-Irish Council work sector for digital inclusion was put on hold until June 2020.

It is now the intention to develop the next two infographics ahead of the Ministerial meeting due to be hosted by the Isle of Man in March 2021.

Action status: Ongoing.

Through the British-Irish Council digital inclusion work sector, we will work collaboratively across administrations to develop a set of resources aimed at young people aged 16. These resources will follow the branding of ‘Be Safe. Discover. Connect.’ and form a series of three infographics to each, containing tips for ‘Be Safe’, e.g. using a secure password and carrying out software updates; ‘Discover’, e.g. using Google Earth to explore; ‘Connect’, e.g. using public Wi-Fi and being a good online citizen. These resources will be developed over the coming 18 months.

Building a pipeline of cyber talent is one of the four priority areas set out in the Cyber action plan for Wales so that Wales can prosper through cyber resilience, talent and innovation.

Over the last year Welsh Ministers have chaired a series of roundtable discussions with industry, academia, skills representatives and government to help progress the Cyber Action Plan for Wales.

A focus of the roundtables has been how to attract, develop and retain the cyber skills we need in Wales and building a picture of the pathways into a career in cyber, from school age through to workforce retraining. This has resulted in further industry-led collaboration to drive forward a joined-up approach to cyber skills development and maximise how industry supports academia.

The Welsh Government has also co-funded the Cyber Innovation Hub alongside the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR). It is being led by Cardiff University, with partners including Airbus, the Alacrity Foundation, CGI, Thales, Tramshed Tech, and the University of South Wales with the purpose of transforming the Cardiff Capital Region into a leading UK cyber cluster. Since its launch in 2023 it has been bringing together industry, government and economic partners in a coordinated approach to skills, innovation and new enterprise creation.

It delivers a range of practical training programmes focused on the needs of industry.  These include short courses covering topics such as Cyber Hygiene & Awareness, Cyber Security by Design and Operational Technology, from introductory level to advanced practitioners.  The Hub is also working with Cardiff & Vale College to deliver a series of bootcamps aimed at individuals who wish to move into the cyber sector.  The first of these was delivered in Newport, with the second to be delivered in Ebbw Vale.

Action status: Ongoing.

In May 2023, the Minister for Economy launched the Cyber action plan for Wales setting out a vision that, Wales prospers through cyber resilience, talent and innovation. The action plan focuses on four interlinked priority areas; to grow our cyber ecosystem, to build a pipeline of cyber talent, to strengthen our cyber resilience and to protect our public services.

The plan emphasises the requirement for a whole of society approach to cyber which includes public services, industry, academia, law enforcement and government at a local, national and UK level including Arm’s length and sponsored bodies, working in partnership to achieve the  plan’s vision.

The Cyber Action Plan outlines that together we will, maximise our investments and partnerships with industry and academia to grow our cyber ecosystem, build cyber skills and bring benefits to Welsh public services. This includes our investments in the Cyber Innovation Hub and NDEC to further support the skills agenda in Wales. The Cyber Innovation Hub offers a unique and coordinated approach to skills, innovation, and new enterprise creation while the education and outreach activity carried out by the NDEC enhances local skills and knowledge.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2021-22 we have continued to work with a range of stakeholders across industry and academia to promote the careers opportunities the cyber security sector in Wales offers young people. This has included engaging with the UK Cyber Security Council, the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) and NCSC to promote their programmes including Cyber Explorers and Cyber First. We have also worked closely with the University of South Wales and the National Digital Exploitation Centre to engages learners in cyber security opportunities.  

Action status: Ongoing

The cyber sector employs around 3,500 people across Wales and is recognised as the one of our fastest growing technology sectors. Wales is acknowledged for industry expertise in research and development, commercialisation of defence and security products, and is home to a number of major international security and cyber security organisations. 

We will look to exploit to the benefits of a strong cyber sector in Wales working with industry and academia to promote, develop and deliver training and career opportunities for young people in Wales.

We continue to engage regularly with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and to offer support and advice in relation to Hwb via relevant local authority stakeholder groups.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to maintain regular engagement with the ICO and offer support and advice in relation to Hwb via relevant local authority stakeholder groups.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2021 we engaged with All Wales Data Protection Officer Network on Hwb tools and services. We also collaborated on the review of the 360 safe Cymru tool content and policy template review. 

We will continue to engage with the All Wales Data Protection Officer Network to offer guidance, information and resources to assist schools with their data protection obligations.

Action status: Ongoing

Data protection is a critical element of Hwb with safeguarding and security paramount to the configuration of the services provided to support education in Wales. Our Digital Resilience in Education Branch will continue to engage with the All Wales School Data Protection Officer Network in order to provide updates on the tools and services on Hwb, to understand the data protection concerns facing local authorities and schools, and to offer guidance, information and resources to assist schools with their data protection obligations.

We continue to share updates and discuss emerging issues with Internet Matters via the UKCIS Vulnerable Users working group meetings Internet Matters presented on their latest research as part of our first Digital Resilience Symposium in November 2024.

During 2024 we collaborated on a project to develop a ‘What is AI?’ video and accompanying advice for children and young people, which was published in January 2025.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to share updates and discuss emerging issues with Internet Matters via the UKCIS Vulnerable Users working group meetings.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2022, we have continued to attend the UKCIS Vulnerable Users working group meetings which are chaired by Internet Matters.

Action status: Ongoing.

We have now joined the Vulnerable Users (UKCIS) working group chaired by Internet Matters.

Action status: Ongoing

Internet Matters work collaboratively across industry, government and education to support families to help children benefit for connected technology safely.

We will explore opportunities to contribute to the work undertaken by Internet Matters including representing Wales on the Vulnerable Users UKCIS (UK Council for Internet Safety) Working Group.

Having been the first government body to become a member of the IWF, this service is now a core part of the Hwb programme and our membership was renewed in October 2024. We are committed to supporting IWF in their crucial work make the internet a safer place, by identifying and removing global online child sexual abuse imagery.

We continue to highlight IWF’s campaign work including this year’s Think before you share campaign and use their insights and research to inform our work, particularly around AI and sextortion. 

Action status: Ongoing.

Having been the first government body to become a member of the IWF, this service will now be a core part of Hwb in future years. IWF membership services continue to monitor Hwb helping to keep learners safe.

In addition, our membership reaffirms our commitment to contributing to the ongoing challenge of eliminating online child sexual abuse content globally and ensuring the continuation of the IWF support and report services for victims.

Action status: Ongoing.

Following a successful pilot during 2021-2022, we renewed in September 2022 our IWF membership so that we can continue to make use of the services provided by IWF to help keep Welsh learners safe as well as demonstrating our commitment to the ongoing work of the IWF to eliminate child sexual abuse online.

Action status: Ongoing.

In October 2021, the Digital Learning Division of the Welsh Government became the first government body to take up membership of the IWF.  Membership has enabled Hwb to deploy services that will intercept child sexual abuse imagery and banned URLs known to the IWF from being embedded on the Hwb platform.  .  The Welsh Government and IWF also published a joint press release to further raise awareness of the campaigns.

This one-year pilot membership reaffirms our commitment to keeping learners safe online and will contribute to the ongoing challenge of eliminating online child sexual abuse content globally, and ensure the continuation of the IWF support and report services for victims.

We also worked with the IWF to support their recent Gurls Out Loud and Home Truths campaigns and make elements available in Welsh, and commissioned a ‘View from the experts’ article from Susie Hargreaves OBE, CEO of the IWF, which was published on Hwb in November 2021.

Action status: Ongoing

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) aims to minimise the availability of child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world and non-photographic child sexual abuse images hosted in the UK.

We will explore the benefits of membership of the IWF in order to make use of the technical security services offered and will work to promote online safety campaigns for education in Wales.

The NDEC educational outreach programme, in collaboration with University of South Wales, has successfully delivered cyber related activities to over 200 schools and FE establishments in the south east region, including significant number of repeat engagements. The project is due to complete May 2025 and Welsh Government officials are reviewing the overall landscape to decide on the most appropriate next steps.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2022-2023 we have worked with the University of South Wales, the Tech Valleys funded NDEC education outreach programme, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to implement a pilot project for schools in Wales. The pilot project was initially rolled out in the Tech Valleys region and is now being expanded pan Wales in conjunction with Technocamps and hubs at the University of South Wales, Bangor University, Swansea University and NDEC.

Action status: Ongoing. 

During 2022, we have continued to work closely with the NDEC to promote outreach activity with schools. This included supporting in the delivery of outreach activity as part of Cyber UK 2022 (see action 3.8).

We will continue to promote opportunities for Welsh learners to benefit from the outreach activity undertaken by the National Digital Exploitation Centre.

Action status: Ongoing.

In January 2021 we published a bilingual ‘Cyber Heroes resource pack’ for Key Stage 2 learners produced by NDEC. The lesson plan and activities provide learners with online safety skills, in line with the Curriculum for Wales developing their understanding of cyber threats and how to protect themselves.

In March 2021, to celebrate International Women’s Day we published an expert article from Clare Johnson discussing the importance of diversity in the cyber security industry as part of our ‘Views from the experts’ collection.

Action status: Ongoing

The National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) was officially launched in February 2020. The NDEC provides a dynamic facility for enterprise, academics, schools, organisations and individuals that want to learn more about technology, access state-of-the-art facilities and obtain quality advice from respected cyber experts.

Our Digital Resilience in Education Branch will engage and support the NDEC education and outreach activities addressing cyber skills requirements. We will support the NDEC in developing links between education and industry to promote cyber initiatives across Wales. 

We continue to engage with the FAW and identify key dates (e.g. International Women’s Day) throughout the year to promote joint initiatives.

Action status: Ongoing.

We worked with the FAW on a ‘Let’s take a stand against online hate’ feature that was shared on Hwb during the World Cup in December 2022 to raise awareness of the issue and ensure that victims of online hate know where they can report it.

Action status: Ongoing. 

In 2021, we worked with the FAW to create new resources to tackle online misogyny (primary and secondary) and a campaign film, which highlights real life examples of abusive, derogatory comments on social media. The campaign was promoted through Hwb and FAW channels reaching a wide audience.

The resources can be accessed on Hwb:

• Primary
• Secondary

In 2022 we continued our work with the FAW to develop a campaign to challenge the normalisation of online sexual harassment.  This included the development of a series of three films featuring Welsh footballers Joe Allen, Lily Woodham, Joe Morrell and Esther Morgan, who all talk openly about unacceptable online behaviours. The key message from the films focussed on the importance that everyone feels safe and we all have a role in tackling this issue, including calling out and reporting this behaviour if witnessing it online.

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, along with FAW representatives met with young people from Porth Community School on 9 June to launch the first film in the series. During the school visit the Minister also joined learners for a lesson from Childnet’s ‘Step up, speak up’ toolkit, which focuses on the issue of peer on peer online sexual harassment.

The second and third films in the series were launched in October 2022 to continue to raise awareness of the issue and support important conversations to take place.

Action status: Ongoing.

We have extended our partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to include support for online safety.

During the 2021 Safer Internet Day campaign we worked with them to promote the ‘Tackling misinformation’ competition for schools. The communications campaign involved some of Wales’ senior players from both the men’s and women’s teams raising awareness of the issue misinformation and directing people to the Keeping safe online area of Hwb:

https://twitter.com/FAWales/status/1359166910349385730?s=03 https://twitter.com/Cymru/status/1359170865083133953?s=03 https://twitter.com/HwbNews/status/1307922556419215360

We have collaborated on developing some ‘Tackling misogyny’ resources aimed at primary and secondary school learners and these are due for publication on the Keeping safe online area of Hwb in autumn 2021.

Action status: Ongoing

We have extended our partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to include support for online safety. To date we have worked with them to create a video for the Safer Internet Day (SID) ‘Tackling misinformation’ competition, which launched on 21 September 2020, and which featured one of Wales’ senior players from the men’s team talking about the prevalence of misinformation and encouraging children and young people to take part in the competition.

The FAW has registered as an official supporter of Safer Internet Day, and we will continue to work with them on the campaign to raise awareness of misinformation in the lead up to Safer Internet Day on 9 February 2021.

The relationship is mutually beneficial as their support has meant that we can reach a more diverse audience, including parents and carers, with our online safety messaging (they have more than 265,000 Twitter followers) and for the FAW some of the online issues that we are highlighting are highly relevant to their organisation, particularly online hate. The FAW has already carried out some work with senior players to address online hate in football and we have committed to working more closely with them on this particular issue in future, including collaborating on addressing online hate speech towards girls and women. In addition we have been directing the FAW to specific online safety resources on the Keeping safe online area of Hwb that can be used with children and young people in grassroots football through to senior level as part of their aims to promote tolerance and an inclusive culture, both on and off the pitch.

The Welsh Government continues to be members of the UKCIS Early Warning working group which meets monthly.  Representatives attend meetings to hear from other sector experts about emerging online safety and digital resilience issues that might require attention or action.

We continue to engage with the FAW and identify key dates (for example, International Women’s Day, Show Racism the Red Card) throughout the year to promote joint initiatives.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Welsh Government continues to be members of the UKCIS Early Warning working group and representatives attend meetings to hear from other sector experts about emerging online safety and digital resilience issues that might require attention or action.

Action status: Ongoing. 

During 2022, we have continued to be members of the UKCIS Early Warning working group and attend meetings to hear about any emerging issues that might require action or careful observation.

Action status: Ongoing.

We have become official members of the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Early Warning System working group. We work closely with the group to identify new trends and risks at an early stage and ensure a cohesive and appropriate response to online safety issues.

Action status: Ongoing

The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Early Warning System Group seeks to develop early information-sharing between helplines/hotlines and reporting bodies to better identify issues or new trends at an early stage and to provide relevant information to the UKCIS Executive Board. The membership is comprised of hotlines, helplines and law enforcement bodies, all receiving contact from the public. We will contribute to the group ensuring that Wales is appropriately represented and informed.

Since April 2023, the frequency of meetings has changed from monthly to quarterly, although there is an opportunity to share updates and information on new projects with group members in a monthly email, coordinated by Internet Matters. 

Action status: Ongoing. 

In 2022 we continued to attend UKCIS Vulnerable Users working group meetings.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to engage and contribute to phase 1 of the UKCIS VUWG Annual Plan, by investigating the current online safety training and resources available to foster carers in Wales and exploring opportunities to raise awareness with relevant agencies and suppliers. Welsh Government will also join the launch of a digital passport for foster carers and care experienced children and young people on 20 May 2021.

Action status: Ongoing

This group’s purpose is to bring together the influential organisations and adults that surround online users with vulnerabilities, to develop and implement an action plan that aims to reduce the numbers of vulnerable users experiencing online harm.

The UKCIS Digital Resilience Working Group has not convened in 2024, however, ongoing engagement with UKCIS is taken forward via the Early Warning Working Group.  The Chair of UKCIS participated in the Digital Resilience Symposium hosted by DRiE in November 2023.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to participate and represent the Welsh Government at the UKCIS Digital Resilience working group. The first meeting of the group in 2023 took place in June virtually.

Action status: Ongoing. 

During 2022 we have continued to participate and represent the Welsh Government at the UKCIS Digital Resilience Working Group.

Action status: Ongoing.

We have become official members of the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Resilience working group. We work with the group to share and promotes digital resilience best practice.

Action status: Ongoing

The Digital resilience Working Group (DRWG) aims to develop and co-ordinate activity on a digital resilience strategy which enables individuals to have the digital skills and emotional understanding to feel empowered to take action when they encounter problems online.

We continue to represent the Welsh Government on the UKCIS Education Working Group.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to participate in UKCIS Education Working Group meetings to share current priorities and activities with other members.

Action status: Ongoing. 

We have continued to attend the Education Working Group meetings to share current priorities and activities with members.

During 2022 we developed non-statutory Challenging victim blaming language and behaviours guidance as part of our membership of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) Education Working Group, and this guidance was published bilingually on the Keeping safe online area of Hwb in October 2022.

Action status: Ongoing.

The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Education Working Group (EWG) brings together organisations working on online safety in education with leading roles in policy, standards, training or provision of resources. The group aims to enable improvements in the provision of online safety education and the safeguarding of children and young people in education settings across the UK.