This National Apprenticeship Week we’re shining a light on what employers need to know about keeping your young apprentices safe in the workplace.
News from NSPCC Learning
Childline Race to a Milli campaign
Help young people navigate the mental health challenges of being online with Childline's new campaign.
Why language matters: why we should avoid the term ‘alleged’ in safeguarding and child protection
We explore how the term ‘alleged’ can be unhelpful when used in safeguarding and child protection practice.
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Podcast: Male experiences of domestic abuse
Drawing on practice experience from the NSPCC Helpline and Childline, this podcast episode explores harmful expressions of masculinity, male experiences of domestic abuse, and the effects on children.
What young people tell Childline about apprenticeships
This National Apprenticeship Week we’re shining a light on what employers need to know about keeping your young apprentices safe in the workplace.
Help young people navigate the mental health challenges of being online
Share our new Childline campaign, Race to a Milli, and help young people get the support they need when going online.
NSPCC Learning review of 2025
A look back at some of the resources, research and training we’ve produced in 2025, to support you in your work with children and young people.
Why language matters: why we should avoid using the term ‘alleged’ when talking about child abuse and neglect
A Why language matters blog exploring how the term ‘alleged’ can be unhelpful when used in safeguarding and child protection practice.
Podcast: Safeguarding in a multi-academy trust
Learn more about how the role of a regional DSL can enhance safeguarding practices in a multi-academy trust. You’ll hear from the NSPCC’s Karen Squillino as well as Jill Fuller and Habib Hussain from Lift Schools.
Mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
What is the latest government update on a mandatory duty in England to report known or suspected child sexual abuse?
Why language matters: why we should rethink our use of the term ‘sextortion’
Using the term ‘sextortion’ risks minimising the harm caused and doesn’t reflect the complexity and variety of the issues experienced.
Podcast: Protecting boys from financially motivated sexual extortion
Listen to Childline Team Manager Danielle Harris and Marie Smith, who oversees the CEOP education programme, discuss the different ways criminals are using online sexual extortion to target boys and young males.
Why language matters: the importance of including babies in the language of safeguarding
When babies are not included in the language of safeguarding, it has an impact on how well they can be supported and protected.
Podcast: Child criminal exploitation and the importance of early intervention
Learn more about how to support young people involved in county lines and CCE. You’ll hear from the NSPCC’s Denise Ellis and Tara Mellowes, from Leicestershire Police.
Podcast: Protecting babies from the effects of domestic abuse
Learn more about abuse in pregnancy and how to improve support for families affected by it. You'll hear from the NSPCC's Paddi Vint and Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of the For Baby's Sake Trust.
Why language matters: how we talk about sibling sexual behaviour and abuse
When discussing sibling sexual behaviour, it’s important to accurately describe the behaviour, the context and the sibling dynamic, while staying sensitive to the impact language has on family members.
Podcast: Supporting Black mothers facing perinatal mental health challenges
Listen to Sandra Igwe, founder of The Motherhood Group, discuss the importance of providing inclusive support for maternal mental health during pregnancy and the first year following childbirth.
Why language matters: why professionals need to talk about child sexual abuse
By understanding how to talk about sexual abuse, professionals can address concerns earlier, work effectively with children and families and bring words to the silence around child sexual abuse.
Providing safe wraparound care for children
What wraparound care is and how to ensure it is being delivered safely.
Podcast: The work of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel
Discover how learning from the work of the Panel, and the reports they publish, can lead to improvements in safeguarding practice. You'll hear two members of the Panel discuss two reports published at the end of 2024: a national review into child sexual abuse within the family environment and their annual report.
Why language matters: how using the term ‘disguised compliance’ can be problematic
The phrase ‘disguised compliance’ can be misleading, unhelpful and blaming and can undermine working relationships with caregivers.
Podcast: Online safety - a young person’s perspective
Two young people from the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth group provide an insight into what life online is like for them, what makes them feel safe online and the online safety topics they’d like to learn more about.
Podcast: Mental health first aid kits
Learn how mental health first aid kits can help young people manage their mental health if they're struggling.
NSPCC Learning review of 2024
A look back at some of the resources, research and training we’ve produced in 2024, to support you in your work with children and young people.
Podcast: How to plan meaningful participation work with victims and survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA)
Sir Peter Wanless and members of the IICSA Changemakers discuss how to carry out safe and meaningful participation work with adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse.
Why language matters: putting the child first – why we say children who have disabilities rather than disabled children
Using child-first or child-led language reminds us of the importance of seeing children who have disabilities as children first, instead of focusing on their disabilities.
New sibling sexual abuse service launched
The NSPCC has launched a new pilot service designed to support families who have experienced sibling sexual harm or abuse.
Podcast: Providing better support for vulnerable teenagers
Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives, shares her thoughts on what needs to be done to improve the safeguarding support available to teenagers across the UK.
Podcast: How domestic abuse affects children
Hear from Childline and NSPCC Helpline representatives about the potential effects of domestic abuse on babies, children and young people and how professionals can respond to this in their practice.
The 4 Cs of online safety: online safety risk for children
How can the 4 Cs of online safety help schools and colleges keep children safe online? Maisy Watkins, Child Safety Online Project Officer shares internet safety tips in this blog article.
Why language matters: rethinking the language of suicide
It's crucial that professionals are alert to the different ways in which children and young people might express suicidal thoughts or feelings. They can then work to engage and support children at risk.
Podcast: Teaching sex and relationships education (SRE) with Talk Relationships
Childline ambassador Natalie Dormer talks to teachers about the challenges they face when teaching sex and relationships education in schools and how the NSPCC’s Talk Relationships service helps them respond to these problems.
What we’ve learnt from the NSPCC Helpline domestic abuse project
We monitored and evaluated the work of the NSPCC Helpline domestic abuse project and pulled together learning to share with professionals and communities to help them tackle domestic abuse.
Podcast: The voice of the child in social work practice
Learn more about how social work professionals can use the voice of the child when undertaking their work.
Here's what you missed at How Safe 2024
Our annual safeguarding event took place on Wednesday 26 June 2024.
Why language matters: how using terms like ‘recruited’ and ‘working’ minimise children’s experiences of criminal exploitation
By using clear language when talking about child criminal exploitation, professionals working with a child can build an accurate picture of their experience and identify support that meets their needs.
Podcast: Supporting d/Deaf children — putting the child at the centre of decision making
A discussion between a panel of experts from the Social Workers with Deaf Children and Professionals Working Group which explores how the differing language and communication needs of d/Deaf children can affect their safety and the child protection support they receive.
Can you help peer review NSPCC research?
We are seeking new peer reviewers to maintain the quality of the research we produce.
Podcast: Absenteeism in schools
Hear experts from the NSPCC and Childline discuss school absenteeism, which has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, and the safeguarding implications of children missing school.
New resources to embed healthy relationships across your whole school
We've launched a Whole-School Approach Framework for sex and relationships education as part of our Talk Relationships service.
Why language matters: how referring to online ‘friends’ can mask safeguarding concerns
It’s essential for professionals to remain curious when children refer to people they meet online as their ‘friends'.
Podcast: Understanding pre-birth assessments
In this podcast, social work practitioners explain what effective pre-birth assessments look like and how they play an important role in safeguarding babies.
Recommendations for Change IICSA podcast series
A five-part podcast series exploring the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final recommendations.
Why language matters: why the term ‘paedophile’ can be problematic and should be used with caution
This 'why language matters' blog explores the term 'paedophile' and why it should be used with caution.
Helping teachers meet their safeguarding responsibilities
What is a teacher's responsibility in safeguarding? Find out more about the role and what training you need to help keep children and young people safe in your school.
Why language matters: why we should avoid the term ‘victim’ when talking about children who have experienced abuse
The term 'victim' comes with implications and assumptions that can affect the way we perceive and safeguard children, and the way children perceive themselves.
Online harms: protecting children and young people
Being exposed to harmful content online can be damaging to children's wellbeing. But what exactly are online harms and what can we do to protect children?
Why language matters: why we shouldn’t talk about the ‘risky behaviour’ of young people experiencing abuse
A professional focus on risk-taking behaviour can imply that the young person has a level of responsibility for abuse and exploitation – when in fact abuse is never a young person’s fault.
The Online Safety Act: what it means for children and professionals
What does the Online Safety Act mean for children and professionals? Rani Govender, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer summarises in this blog article.
Podcast: Supporting new parents through adversity
Learn how therapeutic and trauma-informed early intervention services can support families through adversity and give children and young people the best start in life.
Why language matters: why you should avoid the acronym 'LAC' when talking about children in care
Exploring the implications of using the acronym 'LAC' to refer to looked after children within the care system.
Podcast: Building an evidence base for social work
Listen to a panel of experts from the NSPCC talk about how social workers can build and maintain an evidence base to support their work.
Why language matters: using ‘non-accidental head injury’ and not ‘shaken baby syndrome’
Exploring the history, impact and implications for practice around the term ‘shaken baby syndrome’ and the alternatives professionals can use.
Podcast: What’s next for children’s social care in England? A practical perspective
A practical look at what an improved social care system in England might look like, with a focus on improving family support and early help services.
Podcast: What’s next for children’s social care in England? An interview with Josh MacAlister
Listen to Josh MacAlister, the chair of The independent review of Children's Social Care in England, talking to the NSPCC’s Abigail Gill about the review’s findings.
Why language matters: what is meant by ‘early help’
Explores the use of the terms ‘early help’ and ‘early intervention’ in England and discusses the impact of conflating the two terms on the provision of support.
Podcast: Domestic abuse support in the workplace
Domestic abuse experts from the NSPCC Helpline discuss what workplaces can do to provide support to parents and children experiencing domestic abuse.
Why language matters: talking about ‘equal protection from physical assault’ rather than calling for a ‘smacking ban’
Why talking about ‘equal protection from physical assault’ better reflects the need for a change in the law than calling for a ‘smacking ban’.
Why language matters: how the label ‘older boyfriend’ can mask child sexual exploitation
Discusses the problems with the term ‘older boyfriend’ and prompts professionals to recognise the links to grooming and child sexual exploitation.
Why language matters: why you should avoid labelling allegations as ‘malicious’
Blog exploring the risks around labelling an allegation as ‘malicious’ before properly assessing the situation.
Podcast: Supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing in schools
We spoke to experts from Place2Be and Childline about the different ways that schools can support children and young people with their mental health and wellbeing.
Why language matters: domestic abuse is broader than domestic violence
This blog looks at why using the term "domestic abuse" can help us to consider the wider experiences of children and families beyond physical violence.
Why language matters: how ‘toxic trio’ is unhelpful and inaccurate
Parental domestic abuse, parental substance misuse and parental mental health problems – the toxic trio? This post explores the issues around the term ‘toxic trio’, the complexities around its use, and what professionals might consider using instead.
Podcast: An introduction to Report Remove, an online self-reporting tool for young people
Learn more about the development of Report Remove, an online tool that under-18s can use to report nude images or videos of themselves that have been shared online, to see if they can be removed from the internet.
Why language matters: in need of attention, not ‘attention seeking’
How reframing attention-seeking behaviour as attention needing can prompt professionals to consider children’s unmet needs.
Why language matters: why we should never use ‘child pornography’ and always say child sexual abuse material
This blog post looks at the significant impact of using the term 'child sexual abuse material' instead of ‘child pornography’ which diminishes the seriousness of the crime. It is aimed at anyone working in the wider child protection sphere (in any capacity), anyone whose work involves children and young people, as well as those working directly with children and young people.
Risk assessing online platforms
How do you make sure online platforms are safe for children and young people? In this blog, an expert from the NSPCC's child safety online solutions lab discusses what you need to consider.
Why language matters: reframing responsibility for accessing services
How we label those who need our services can be a barrier to engagement. This blog post explores the issues around the phrase “hard to reach” and discusses how services can increase accessibility.
Why language matters: ‘Sexting’ or ‘sharing nudes’?
This blog post explores the words professionals and children use when talking about taking, sending or receiving naked or semi-naked images or videos.
Podcast: Together for Childhood — what we've learnt to help prevent abuse and neglect
Discover how the NSPCC's Together for Childhood (TfC) programme works alongside local communities to prevent child abuse and neglect. The discussion draws on practice examples of how TfC has made a difference for local communities.
Why language matters: 'hidden' in plain sight
This 'why language matters' blog post explores how key men in a child’s life can be overlooked by professionals. It discusses how the phrase 'hidden men' is unhelpful and these men should rather be 'unseen'.
Podcast: researching mental health support for adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse
Learn about new research from the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC) covering how to best support adolescent mental health and wellbeing after sexual abuse.
Harmful sexual behaviour: labelling actions, not children
The language we use when talking about harmful sexual behaviour can impact professionals' perceptions and how children see themselves. This "why language matters" blog discusses how changing words can help improve outcomes.
Digging deeper than 'did not attend': the importance of considering why a child was not brought to an appointment
The first in a series of blogs on improving safeguarding practice with words, this article looks at how recording children’s missed health care appointments as "was not brought" instead of "did not attend" can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of children.
Podcast: sibling sexual abuse
What you need to consider when working with children and families where harmful sexual behaviour has been displayed between siblings and how you can facilitate reunification.
Podcast: understanding denial in children displaying harmful sexual behaviour
This episode provides insight into what denial might look like and how you can help children and young people open up using trauma-informed approaches and exercises.
Podcast: NSPCC Helpline’s Domestic Abuse Practice Advisors
Learn how the NSPCC Helpline’s new Domestic Abuse Practice Advisors support children and families experiencing domestic abuse in this NSPCC Learning podcast episode.
Methods for assessing the mental health needs of young people who have experienced abuse and neglect
Methods for assessing the mental health needs of young people who have experienced abuse and neglect
Learn about a Queen's University Belfast study that highlights the importance of understanding and responding to the mental health needs of young people who have experienced abuse and neglect.
Podcast: recognising and responding to child neglect
A two-part podcast series on child neglect: what it is, why it can be challenging to conduct assessments around neglect, why neglect happens and what can be done to help families when neglect takes place.
Podcast: technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour
Learn about the prevalence of technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB) and why it is a growing concern.
Podcast: planning therapeutic sessions for children displaying harmful sexual behaviour
What to consider when planning therapeutic sessions for children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour (HSB).
Podcast: direct work with children displaying harmful sexual behaviour
We spoke to NSPCC practitioners about the principles of direct work with children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour.
Podcast: Black girls’ experiences of sexual abuse
We talk about about the lack of representation of Black girls’ experiences in child sexual abuse research and the impact this has on policy and practice.
Podcast: intersectionality in social work practice
Hear Jahnine Davis and Nick Marsh, founders of Listen Up and Ineke Houtenbos, a senior consultant at the NSPCC, discuss intersectionality and its application within safeguarding practice.
Podcast: why domestic abuse is a child protection issue
Explores the complexity and dynamics of domestic abuse, the effects it can have on children and how you can improve your practice.
Report Abuse in Education helpline resources launched
Resources to share details of the Report Abuse in Schools helpline with your school community are now available.
Helpline for people who have experienced sexual abuse in education settings launched
The NSPCC has launched a dedicated helpline for children who have experienced abuse at school, and for adults and professionals that need support and guidance.
Podcast: building children and young people's digital resilience
Learn about creating safer online experiences for children and young people, building their digital resilience and encouraging positive behaviour online.
Podcast: how can volunteers support vulnerable families?
We explore the services volunteers provide to vulnerable families as well as what current research evidence says about involving volunteers in service delivery and the impact of this.
Podcast: what have we learnt during COVID-19?
In this episode, we reflect on 2020 with our CEO, Peter Wanless, focusing on how the NSPCC has adapted to support children, young people and families during COVID-19.
Podcast: providing perinatal education during COVID-19 through Baby Steps
We’ve released two episodes on how the NSPCC and its delivery partners have supported parents through our Baby Steps service and the insight we’ve gathered about our perinatal education programme.
NSPCC Wales contributes to new Welsh Government guidance on safeguarding children from harmful sexual behaviour in schools
NSPCC Wales has co-written new safeguarding guidance for the Welsh Government, on protecting children from harmful sexual behaviour in schools.
Podcast: going virtual with Speak out Stay safe
Learn about how and why we’ve adapted the way we’re delivering the Speak out Stay safe programme and what this might mean for your school.
Celebrating 20 years of CASPAR
Keeping professionals up to date with child protection and safeguarding knowledge and information throughout two decades of change in government and guidance. Sign up for our weekly email alert.
Podcast: helping children recover from domestic abuse
This episode explores the impact of domestic abuse on children, how we’ve widened our reach to support more children and families and what it’s like to be a practitioner on the frontline.
Making neuroscience more accessible: childhood trauma, the brain and mental health
Read about UCL’s latest study – funded by the NSPCC and ESRC - into how childhood experiences of abuse and neglect can affect brain development.
Podcast: safeguarding advice for tutors
Join us in our discussion with members from The Tutors’ Association about the role tutors have in safeguarding and protecting children and young people.
Podcast: how Childline has been supporting children during COVID-19
What’s been going on at Childline in the past few months? Listen to our two Childline workers discuss what children and young people have been telling them and how they’ve been supported.
Podcast: impact on delivering children’s services during lockdown
Social distancing has made it difficult for practitioners to carry out their regular check-ins with children and families. How have they responded to these challenges to ensure needs are still met?
Podcast: impact of coronavirus on school staff and pupils
Listen to an account of how teachers delivered and are continuing to deliver school services to pupils since the lockdown in March 2020.
Podcast: returning to school post-lockdown
Find out how schools and academies have been affected by coronavirus and how they’ve responded during and after the lockdown.
Podcast: antenatal and postnatal care during COVID-19
Find out how antenatal and postnatal services have adapted in response to coronavirus (COVID-19) to continue to support parents before, during and after pregnancy.
UK Government publishes three new reports about learning from case reviews in England
Three new reports focused on learning from case reviews in England have been made available through the UK Government website.
Podcast: infants and child development
Hear us discuss our learning from case reviews briefing on infants, which highlights the challenges faced by practitioners and social workers and the steps that can be taken to keep infants safe.
NSPCC’s Pat Branigan granted Churchill Fellowship to combat child sexual abuse
As part of his fellowship, Pat will be visiting the USA to explore public health approaches to combating child sexual abuse, with the aim of using his findings to develop a new public health framework for all CSA cases in the UK.
Podcast: preventing harmful sexual behaviour
Join us in the final episode of our harmful sexual behaviour series to find out how you can prevent and manage incidents in your school, academy or college.
Podcast: assessing sexualised behaviour
Get support on managing and assessing sexualised behaviour in schools and understand when to make a referral to a specialist service.
Podcast: harmful sexual behaviour in schools
Listen to the first part of our series on supporting those who have experienced or displayed harmful sexual behaviour in schools and other educational settings.
Podcast: supporting young people with learning disabilities
Hear about our Love Life resources aimed at young people with special educational needs and learning disabilities.
Podcast: Steps to Safety programme
Hear about our early-intervention programme for families living with domestic abuse and what we’ve learnt from delivering our service.
Podcast: preventing the sexual abuse of disabled children
We explore parents’ and carers’ views about working with schools to protect disabled children from sexual abuse, and, about teaching relationships and sex education.
Podcast: what is the Underwear Rule?
This episode explains what the Underwear Rule is and how you can use our teaching resources to help you keep children safe from sexual abuse.
Contextual safeguarding: what is it and why does it matter?
What is contextual safeguarding? And what does it mean for voluntary and community groups? Cate Meredith explores the issues and how you can keep children safe.
Podcast: Together for Childhood in Stoke
We take a closer look at Together for Childhood in Stoke and provide advice for anyone launching an initiative that’s co-creative and collaborative.
Podcast: charity trustees' responsibilities
What’s required of a charity trustee? Our episode outlines the main responsibilities of a charity trustee in safeguarding children and young people.
Podcast: faith-based communities
Find out what safeguarding means to faith-based communities in the second to last episode of our series aimed at the voluntary and community sector.
Podcast: schools’ role in safeguarding
Do you work in a school or educational institution? This could apply to you.
Podcast: enhancing online safety for children
When it comes to safeguarding children and young people, you also need to consider issues that arise online. Listen to our podcast to learn more about online safety.
Podcast: safeguarding adults and children
Are you responsible for safeguarding adults and children within a mixed-age group organisation? Tune into our podcast for advice, support and resources.
Podcast: nominated child protection lead
Listen to our episode to access our top tips for new and current child protection leads.
Podcast: introduction to safeguarding
Listen to our podcast for advice and tips on safeguarding children and young people during activities and events.
Podcast: How safe? 2019 report
Our How safe? 2019 report focuses on the emerging issues around online safety and online abuse. Play our latest episode for a quick summary into the key findings and conclusions drawn from the report.
Podcast: military families
Tune into our podcast to explore the challenges military families can face, the impact on children and our findings from our evaluation report.
Podcast: safer recruitment in education
What risks are involved when recruiting in educational institutions? Our podcast explains why it’s essential to have a safeguarding thread throughout your recruitment process to ensure the safety of children and young people.
Podcast: anti-bullying in schools
Is your anti-bullying procedure and policy being put into practice? Listen to our podcast now to discover what makes an effective policy in schools.
Podcast: what is Speak out Stay safe?
Have you heard about our Speak out Stay safe service? Listen to our podcast for an insight into how our service benefits children, parents and school staff.
Podcast: perinatal mental health
This podcast looks at NSPCC’s two services, Pregnancy in Mind and Baby Steps, and how they support parents with their perinatal mental health problems.
Podcast: The Lighthouse
In this podcast, we explore the multi-agency service for children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing sexual abuse - The Lighthouse. Listen to find out how it was set up and the support it offers.
Podcast: Child Trafficking Advice Centre
Our Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC) team talks about our specialist service to professionals concerned that a child may be a victim of trafficking.
Is this "normal"? Understanding children's sexual behaviours
How can we support teachers in assessing and managing children displaying problematic or harmful sexual behaviour in schools?
Podcast: Protect and Respect
Our team talks about how this service to protect young people from exploitation is evolving.
Podcast: Together for Childhood
Jon Brown, NSPCC's Head of Development and Impact, talks about our initiative to prevent child abuse and neglect.