Audience

These documents have been produced by Welsh Government as part of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) Education Working Group in consultation with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), All Wales School Liaison Core Programme (AWSLCP), police forces, the national Safeguarding in Education Group (SEG), regional consortia, National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and other key stakeholders.

The Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: Responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people document is for the designated safeguarding person (DSP), headteachers and senior leadership teams in schools, colleges and other education settings in Wales. Other members of staff should see Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: how to respond to an incident. An overview for all staff working in education settings in Wales.

It will also be of interest to local authorities, diocesan authorities, Governors Wales, and staff within organisations that have a lead responsibility for safeguarding children and young people.

Overview

Sharing nudes and semi-nudes – sometimes referred to as ‘sexting’ – is the creation and/or sharing of nude or semi-nude images, videos or live streams by young people under the age of 18.

Most cases of creating and sharing nudes or semi-nude images take place outside education settings, but this is where incidents often manifest. A swift and confident response is important to ensure that children and young people are safeguarded, supported and educated.

The guidance is intended to support education settings with developing procedures to respond to incidents involving sharing nudes or semi-nudes as part of their safeguarding arrangements. It also signposts to resources and sources of support.

Practitioner's guide

The Practitioner's guide to responding to incidents of nudes and semi-nudes being shared is advice for practitioners who don’t have a lead responsibility for safeguarding on how to report incidents as well as support and educate learners.

Documents