Guidance and policy

During 2022 we have continued to work with stakeholders to support implementation of the ‘Keeping learners safe’ guidance.

Action status: Delivered.

We worked with stakeholders to support the implementation of the updated guidance ‘Keeping learners safe’ published in Autumn 2020.

To support the implementation we published refreshed training modules for educational professionals in line with updates to the Keeping learners safe guidance.

In November 2021, we provided an update to section 7 to include references to updated training available to support schools with responding to incidents of sharing nude or semi-nude images and recently published advice on handling online harmful viral challenges and hoaxes.

For further information on training see action 7.2.

Action status: In progress

The draft guidance 'Keeping learners safe' was published for full, public consultation during summer 2019. A summary of consultation responses was published in January 2020 and a final version of the guidance was published in autumn 2020.

The online safety chapter has been reviewed and updated.

We will work with stakeholders to support implementation during 2020.

Action status: In progress.

Welsh Government officials worked closely with key stakeholders during 2018–19 to revise and update the statutory guidance 'Keeping learners safe'.

The draft guidance Keeping learners safe has been published for full, public consultation during summer 2019. Policy leads will update the guidance in line with responses from the public consultation, and a final version will be published in spring 2020.

The online safety section has been reviewed and updated in line with the rest of the guidance.

Action status: In progress.

We have published statutory guidance – Keeping learners safe – to help support education services in delivering its statutory responsibilities to maintain a safe learning environment, and identify and respond to well-being concerns with other agencies, where necessary.

This guidance is due to be refreshed to take consideration of developments in legislation and policy, including online safety, online bullying and sexting as appropriate.

Guidance for organisations on how to protect children at risk of child and sexual exploitation, was published on 18 March 2021.

The guidance – Volume 7 of Working Together to Safeguard People (Safeguarding Children from Child Sexual Exploitation) was accompanied by an Easy Read Version and a Youth Friendly Version (published June 2021). This guidance was issued under section 28 of the Children Act 2004 (referred to as the 2004 Act), and section 139 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (referred to as the 2014 Act).

Action status: Delivered.

A summary of responses to a formal consultation on revised statutory guidance on safeguarding children at risk of child sexual exploitation was published in February 2020. A final draft is due for publication in winter 2020. This includes information about safeguarding children from online grooming and exploitation.

Action status: In progress.

A 12-week consultation on statutory guidance to safeguard children from child sexual exploitation was launched on 15 July 2019. The guidance includes advice on online grooming, and online abuse and exploitation.

Action status: In progress.

The Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (2010) guidance aims to help teachers, health professionals, social workers, the police and other key practitioners in Wales to tackle sexual exploitation. The guidance also helps them to identify children at risk, equips them to protect these vulnerable children and to take action against the perpetrators.

Regional Safeguarding Boards continue to support practitioner learning in relation to the All Wales Practice Guides and Wales Safeguarding Procedures across agencies and across Wales. The guide is also referenced in updated ‘Keeping Learners Safe’ guidance published in 2020.

Action status: Delivered

An all Wales practice guide on safeguarding children from online abuse has been issued with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures on behalf of the Safeguarding Children Boards.

Action status: In progress.

An all Wales practice guide on safeguarding children from online abuse has been developed with a multi-agency group chaired by Colin Turner, formally of CEOP. This will be issued in November 2019 with the Wales Safeguarding Procedures on behalf of the Safeguarding Children Boards.

Action status: In progress.

A multi-agency task and finish group has been convened to develop refreshed statutory safeguarding guidance on child sexual exploitation. The guidance will be issued for formal consultation in autumn 2018 and will include information on online grooming and child sexual exploitation.

We have provided funding to enable Cardiff and the Vale Safeguarding Board to review and develop National Protection Procedures. We are working with task and finish groups to develop practice guidance to be used in conjunction with National Protection Procedures. This will include updating the All Wales Protocol on the Protection of Children from Abuse via Information Technology.

The Recommended web filtering standards for schools in Wales are being reviewed to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with wider advice and guidance. An update is expected to be published during spring term 2025. In addition to supporting the effective use of web filtering, the guidelines include advice for safeguarding monitoring on iOS devices.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2021 we worked with local authorities across Wales to review and update the Recommended web filtering standards for schools in Wales. The updated standards were published on Hwb in November 2021.

Action status: In progress

We are working with local authorities across Wales to review and update the Recommended web filtering standards for schools in Wales, which were published in February 2018. The update of the document will be available on Hwb later in the academic year.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Recommended web filtering standards for schools in Wales document was updated and published in February 2018 and is available for schools in Wales. The key aim of the web filtering standards outlined within the document is that they will enable access to websites that support the effective delivery of teaching and learning in schools.

The standards will provide learners with the opportunity to learn within a safe, responsible and supportive environment, and prevent access to inappropriate content. An effective online safety programme of education should supplement this guidance to teach children and young people the importance of responsible and considerate online behaviours.

Action status: Ongoing.

The web filtering standards are a common set of agreed standards for internet access that provide schools with the tools to make informed choices about appropriate filtered internet provision, whether delivered by the local authority or another provider. The standards support schools to be fit for twenty-first century learning and teaching while still safeguarding children and young people.

The standards also include the prerequisites for Hwb tools, which outline the digital requirements for schools to get the most from the digital learning platform toolset.

In November 2019 we published a suite of anti-bullying guidance Rights, respect, equality which provides statutory guidance for both governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities to help address and prevent bullying in education settings in Wales. The suite also includes advisory guidance for children, young people and their parents and carers to help those affected by bullying, outlining rights and responsibilities.

To support practical implementation of the guidance we have produced an online toolkit playlist of resources for each stakeholder group.

During 2020, we will support implementation of the guidance.

Action status: Delivered.

The revised draft anti-bullying guidance and toolkit was published for consultation between November 2018 and February 2019. The summary of responses was published in May 2019.

The revised guidance sets out the importance of taking a whole-school approach, and proactively challenging and preventing bullying. We want to ensure the online bullying aspects of guidance link closely with our broader aims of online safety and we have worked closely with SWGfL to achieve this. The revised guidance will be available in the new school year.

Action status: In progress.

In 2003 we published non-statutory guidance to help tackle bullying in schools in Wales – 'Respecting Others: Anti-Bullying Guidance'. In 2011, the guidance was updated and expanded to address five key areas of bullying. One of these key areas is online bullying. Working with key stakeholders we are currently reviewing 'Respecting Others' to ensure the guidance continues to provide effective support to local authorities, schools, parents, carers and learners. The revised guidance will be published for consultation in 2018.

Rights, respect, equality the statutory anti-bullying guidance is currently in the process of being updated to ensure all schools and settings have high quality bilingual resources to prevent and respond to bullying, discrimination and racist incidents.

This update will include effectively reflecting and linking to recent policy and legislative developments including the Curriculum for Wales and the Framework on embedding a whole-School Approach to emotional and mental wellbeing.

The update will also further address prejudice-related bullying and harassment, including racist incidents, in line with the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan’s aim of ensuring an anti-racist Wales by 2030. Bringing forward updates in relation to prejudice-related bullying and harassment will enable the guidance to reflect recent understanding of peer sexual harassment, and how best to prevent and respond.

Updates will also align with the aims of inclusive education in the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales, and the recommendations of the Disability Rights taskforce, in order to ensure consistent approaches to prejudice related bullying across protected characteristics.

This update will be informed by the views and experiences of children and young people, drawing on published resources and research where appropriate, and expanding this with additional engagement with stakeholders, including a future public consultation.

Action status: Ongoing.

Rights, respect, equality guidance is currently in the process of being updated to ensure that schools and settings have high quality bilingual resources to prevent and respond to bullying.

This update will include accurately and effectively reflecting and linking to recent policy and legislative developments including the Curriculum for Wales and the Framework on embedding a whole-school approach to emotional and mental wellbeing.

The update will also further address prejudice-related bullying and harassment, in line with the Race Equality Action Plan’s overall aim of ensuring an anti-racist Wales by 2030. Bringing forward updates in relation to prejudice-related bullying and harassment will also enable the guidance to reflect recent understanding of peer sexual harassment, and how best to prevent and respond.

In order to streamline this work and ensure consistent approaches to prejudice related bullying across protected characteristics. Updates will also align with the aims of inclusive education in the LGBTQ+ Action Plan for Wales.

This update will be informed by the views and experiences of children and young people, drawing on published resources and research where appropriate and expanding this with additional engagement where relevant.

Action status: In progress.

We are continuing to support implementation of the Rights, respect, equality guidance throughout 2021, working closely with teachers, practitioners and Governors to help address and prevent bullying in education settings in Wales.

We have funded the Anti-Bullying Alliance to deliver Anti-Bullying Week in Wales, providing high-quality bilingual resources for both primary and secondary schools.

We have also commissioned the Anti-Bullying Alliance and Kidscape to deliver a series of webinars throughout 2021-2022 for school leaders, and training for school Governors. They have also established the Anti-bullying Steering Group for Wales, bringing together third sector organisations including a range of anti-bullying charities, Welsh local authorities and the Welsh Government.

The Race Equality Action Plan (REAP) includes a specific action for the Welsh Government to update its anti-bullying guidance by July 2022, in line with the REAP’s overall aim of ensuring an anti-racist Wales by 2030. There is also an action to develop a better system of reporting racial harassment and instances of racist bullying in schools, which will also be developed over the coming months.

Action status: In progress

Our suite of guidance Rights, respect, equality provides statutory guidance for both governing bodies of maintained schools and local authorities to help address and prevent bullying in education settings in Wales. The suite also includes advisory guidance for children, young people and their parents and carers to help those affected by bullying, outlining rights and responsibilities.

To support practical implementation of the guidance we have produced an online toolkit playlist of resources for each stakeholder group hosted on Hwb. The playlist will continue to be updated as new resources emerge.

Action status: In progress.

The new anti-bullying guidance will be accompanied by an online toolkit hosted on Hwb. The toolkit will offer resources and support for practitioners, learners, and parents and carers, and will be available in the new school year. The toolkit will be a live resource that will grow over time with new resources added as they become available.

Action status: In progress.

In addition to revising the 'Respecting Others' guidance, we are also working with key stakeholders to look at what strategies and resources are needed to support delivery of the anti-bullying message in education settings. A review of the materials that are currently available is underway and, based on the findings of that review, we will consider developing further resources to support education practitioners to address bullying.

The revised Home Office Prevent Duty Guidance (PDG) came in to force on 31 December 2023. The Welsh Government Respect and resilience: developing community cohesion guidance will be reviewed during 2024.

Action status: Ongoing.

The Home Office Prevent Duty Guidance (PDG) is scheduled to be published in July 2023. Once published and the PDG becomes statutory in the Autumn the Welsh Government Respect and resilience: developing community cohesion guidance will be reviewed.

Action status: Ongoing.

Our guidance and good practice document Respect and resilience: developing community cohesion provides information to schools to support them to meet the legal requirements of the Counter Terrorism and Security act 2015 and the Revised Prevent duty guidance: for England and Wales published in 2016 and updated in 2021. The Respect and resilience Self-assessment tool supports schools to assess their levels of compliance with best practice in the creation of a safe learning community.

The Home Office Prevent Duty Guidance is currently being reviewed and once published the Welsh Government guidance and Self Assessment tool will be updated.

Action status: Ongoing.

We continue to maintain Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion for local authorities, headteachers and governing bodies of maintained schools, headteachers and governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools, teachers in charge of pupil referral units, childcare providers, church diocesan authorities, teacher training institutions, Local Safeguarding Children Board Chairs, Community Safety Partnerships, and organisations that have a lead responsibility for safeguarding children and community cohesion.

The document was last updated in January 2019 and our National Security Team continue to share information in respect of good practice in order to support schools in recognition of their role in developing and supporting strategic approaches to promoting and maintaining community cohesion and preventing violent extremism via the PREVENT Strategic Board, which forms part of the CONTEST Cymru governance structures.

Action status: In progress

We continue to maintain Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion for local authorities, headteachers and governing bodies of maintained schools, headteachers and governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools, teachers in charge of pupil referral units, childcare providers, church diocesan authorities, teacher training institutions, Local Safeguarding Children Board Chairs, Community Safety Partnerships, and organisations that have a lead responsibility for safeguarding children and community cohesion.

The document was last updated in January 2019 and our Resilience Team continue to share information in respect of good practice in order to support schools in recognition of their role in developing and supporting strategic approaches to promoting and maintaining community cohesion and preventing violent extremism via the All Wales Prevent Group, which forms part of the Wales CONTEST and Extremism Board.

Action status: Ongoing.

We will maintain Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion issued January 2016 for local authorities, headteachers and governing bodies of maintained schools, headteachers and governing bodies of voluntary aided and foundation schools, teachers in charge of pupil referral units, childcare providers, church diocesan authorities, teacher training institutions, Local Safeguarding Children Board Chairs, Community Safety Partnerships, and organisations that have a lead responsibility for safeguarding children and community cohesion.

Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion was last updated in January 2019. Our Resilience Team continue to share information in respect of good practice in order to support schools in recognition of their role in developing and supporting strategic approaches to promoting and maintaining community cohesion and preventing violent extremism via the All Wales Prevent Group, which forms part of the Wales CONTEST and Extremism Board (additional information may be found under Action 7.4).

Action status: Ongoing.

The Respect and resilience – Developing community cohesion (2016) guidance aims to support the development of community cohesion and prevent violent extremism in all secondary schools, pupil referral units, special schools and other educational settings.

Publication of our strategy was an important step in building stronger, social connections in Wales. We continue to make good progress with implementing the strategy and have worked with members of our Loneliness and Isolation Advisory Group to quality assure delivery and consider what more can be done.

Our three-year Connected Communities Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund, launched in September 2021 supported a range of front-line, local, grass-roots organisations, which bring people of all ages together, helping them to build social connections in and across communities. Throughout Wales we have numerous excellent examples of where the fund has been used to improve well-being and reduce loneliness and isolation.

Consideration is currently being given as to what further financial support can be provided to support this important agenda in the future.

Action status: Ongoing.

Publication of our strategy was an important step in building stronger, social connections in Wales. We continue to make good progress with implementing the strategy and have worked with members of our Loneliness and Isolation Advisory Group to quality assure delivery and consider what more can be done.

Our three-year Connected Communities Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund, launched in September 2021, continues to support front-line, local, grass-roots organisations, which bring people of all ages together, helping them to build social connections in and across communities. Throughout Wales we have numerous excellent examples of where the fund has been used to improve well-being and reduce loneliness and isolation.

Action status: In progress.

Good progress continues to be made in implementing Connected Communities our all-age, cross-government strategy on tackling loneliness and isolation. Since its publication in February 2020, we have reviewed the strategy’s 80-plus commitments with colleagues across government to ensure they accurately reflect the changes which have taken place in society as a result of the pandemic and to consider what further action might be required.

We also have continued to work with stakeholders through our Loneliness and Isolation Advisory Group to help oversee and support implementation of the Strategy.

The strategy commits the Welsh Government to establishing a loneliness and social isolation fund. The £1.5 million funding spread over three years 2021-24 has been given to local authorities across Wales, working in partnership with County Voluntary Councils to distribute to community-based, grass-roots organisations that bring people of all ages together and help (re-)build social connections. A report of how the funding was used in 2021/22 will be published shortly.

Action status: In progress.

Good progress continues to be made in implementing Connected Communities our all-age, cross-government strategy on tackling loneliness and isolation.

Since its publication in February 2020, we have reviewed the strategy’s 80-plus commitments with colleagues across government to ensure they accurately reflect the changes which have taken place in society as a result of the pandemic and to consider what further action might be required.

We also have continued to work with stakeholders, such as Children in Wales, to help us better understand the impact of Covid-19 on loneliness and social isolation.

The strategy commits the Welsh Government to establishing a loneliness and social isolation fund. The £1.5 million funding spread over three years 2021-24 is being given to local authorities across Wales, working in partnership with County Voluntary Councils to distribute to community-based, grass-roots organisations that bring people of all ages together and help (re-)build social connections.

The first two year review reporting on the progress of the strategy will be published in 2022.

Action status: In progress

On 11 February 2020, we published Connected Communities: A strategy for tackling loneliness and social isolation and building stronger social connections, the first cross-government strategy to address loneliness and social isolation. It sets out our vision for a connected Wales; one where everyone has the opportunity to develop meaningful social relationships and where people are supported at those trigger points in life when they are most vulnerable.

The strategy’s four priorities are: increasing opportunities for people to connect; a community infrastructure that supports connected communities; cohesive and supportive communities; and building awareness and promoting positive attitudes. Each of these priorities is supported by a number of commitments to help in their delivery; this includes online safety for children and young people, and youth work.

We will publish a report every two years on progress against delivering the commitments, and will share any further actions or changes to its approach on tackling loneliness and social isolation.

The aims and objectives of the strategy have provided a solid foundation from which to frame our response to COVID-19. However, we have taken the opportunity to review the priorities in the strategy with colleagues across government in the short, medium and longer term in order to ensure they accurately reflect the changes in society that have taken place and to consider what further action might be required as a result. We are also working with external stakeholders to help us better understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and isolation.

Action status: In progress.

The Welsh Government’s Programme for Government ‘Taking Wales Forward 2016–21’ includes a commitment to develop a cross-government strategy on loneliness and isolation.

The ‘Connected Communities’ strategy, which will be published later this year, marks the first step in changing how we think and act upon loneliness and unwanted social isolation within government, communities and as individuals. It will:

• set out a vision of the kind of society we want to see, where individuals and communities feel connected

• define what we mean by loneliness and social isolation

• set out our key priorities and aims in tackling these issues and how we all can work together to play a part in promoting well-being and building a more connected and inclusive Wales.

The strategy will focus on the role that government can play and how it supports local authorities, public services and the third sector, as well as communities and individuals, to play their part and facilitate people’s social connections.

For children and younger people, the internet and digital technology is an integral part of their lives. However, research highlights the potential disadvantages of social media for young people which can be an avenue for bullying, harassment and social pressure that can cause, or contribute to, a child’s or young person’s sense of isolation and loneliness.

The strategy identifies the key role of schools in building emotional and psychological resilience in children and young people and outlines how the Welsh Government intends to support a whole school approach to emotional and mental well-being.

To support schools we continue to review and update our Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice guidance, this continues to be reviewed in support of the Learning Continuity guidance. Through Hwb Live lessons practitioners can deliver live lessons using Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. These pages are reviewed regularly in line with updates made by Microsoft and Google.

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2023, we have continued to review and update the Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice to ensure this supports the Welsh Government Learning continuity guidance.

We continue to review our live lessons area to ensure practitioners have access to the latest information and guidance on the safe use of Hwb tools and services.

Action status: Ongoing.

Following the publication of the ‘Live lessons’ area, during 2021-2022 we have continued to review and update the area and guidance ‘Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice’.

During August 2022 a full review of the Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice for practitioners and professionals was completed and updated where necessary.

During 2022-23 we will continue to review and promote the ‘Live lessons’ area on Hwb.

Action status: Ongoing

In January 2021, the Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice for practitioners and professionals was updated and published.

To further support practitioners and professionals we developed a new live lessons area on Hwb designed to provide general and technical guidance on using Hwb services including Microsoft Teams and Google Meet to deliver live lessons. We continue to review, update and promote the area on Hwb.

Action status: Ongoing

First published in May 2020, during the COVID-19 outbreak the Live-streaming and video-conferencing: safeguarding principles and practice guidance formed part of the continuity of learning programme, ‘Stay Safe. Stay Learning.’, and was aimed at maintained settings in Wales.

Updated in September 2020 to reflect children and young people returning to school, this guidance provides practitioners and professionals with information on how video-conferencing and live-streaming can be used safely and securely.

We will continue to review, update and promote the guidance to ensure children, young people and education professionals are appropriately safeguarded.

In December 2020, we published the Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: Responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people guidance.

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. The advice should be read alongside the Welsh Governments statutory guidance Keeping Learners Safe.

In addition to the guidance we developed ‘An overview for all staff working in education settings in Wales’ that provides all practitioners with guidance on how to respond to incidents where nudes and semi-nudes have been shared.

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

In January 2021, with SWGfL we hosted a webinar for practitioners to further explore and understand the guidance. This is available to view on Hwb.

In order to further embed the guidance an online training module (published October 2021) is available to support the Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) and senior managers to ensure an appropriate and proportionate response to an incident.

Action status: Delivered

Our Sexting: Responding to incidents and safeguarding learners guidance, published in 2017 and produced as part of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) Education Working Group, will be updated. The guidance is being refreshed in consultation with the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme (AWSLCP), SWGfL, the NSPCC, regional consortia, the Safeguarding in Education Group (SEG), Estyn and other key stakeholders.

The guidance aims to support schools, colleges and other educational settings in developing procedures to respond to incidents involving the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes. We will work with education professionals and key stakeholders to promote and embed best practice procedures and increase awareness of sources of support.

We stay alert to harmful trends and work with safeguarding colleagues to promote the guidance to schools to support schools with the management of incidents (such as viral bullying challenges).

Action status: Ongoing.

During March 2023, the guidance ‘Advice for schools on preparing for and responding to viral online harmful challenges and hoaxes’ was reviewed and updated. We will continue to review the guidance to support schools manage incidents of online challenges impacting learners or school staff.

The Welsh Government will publish half termly updates on the latest digital resilience news, resources and events

Keeping Safe Online half term round-up: July 2023

Keeping Safe Online half term round-up: December 2023

Action status: Ongoing.

In October 2021 we published the guidance ‘Advice for schools on preparing for and responding to viral online harmful challenges and hoaxes’. The guidance is relevant for all staff within a school and particularly pertinent for designated safeguarding persons (DSPs) and the senior leadership team. The guidance was developed to safeguard children and young people, but also includes advice to support schools manage incidents of online challenges or content directed towards school staff.

We will continue to review and update the guidance.

Action status: Ongoing

Instances of online challenges and hoaxes on social media have continued to rise, with social media providing a perfect platform for challenges and hoaxes to go viral.

In recent years, some online viral challenges and hoaxes have caused widespread concern about the potential to cause serious harm.

We will develop and publish guidance for all staff to support schools in how they plan their approach and response to instances where harmful online challenges or hoaxes go viral.

During October 2022 we published ‘Challenging victim blaming language and behaviours’ guidance to help education practitioners to better understand, recognise and respond to victim blaming language and behaviour within their settings when discussing or responding to the online experiences of children and young people.

We developed the non-statutory guidance as part of our membership of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s (UKCIS) Education Working Group. The advice can be incorporated into current safeguarding and child protection policies and the scenarios can be used to support practitioners to reflect on current practice and adopt strategies to develop a whole setting anti-victim blaming approach.

Action status: Delivered.

The Welsh Government as part of its membership of the UK Council for Internet Safety’s Education Working Group will contribute to the development of guidance to support professionals to challenge victim blaming attitudes and ensure appropriate use of language when handling a range of incidents involving children and young people. The guidance will be relevant to professionals working in law enforcement, social care and education. This guidance will be published on the Keeping safe online are of Hwb.

Following sign off from all stakeholders, including Newport local authority and NCSC, the Cyber Response Plan for schools was published in September 2024, and continues to be promoted. The Cyber response plan features as a core aspect of the Cyber incident response training for schools, which is being delivered in partnership with polices forces in Wales (Tarian and North Wales Police ROCU).

Action status: Ongoing.

During 2023, we will establish a working group to facilitate the co-creation of guidance and templates to support schools with cyber resilience planning and management.

A variety of resources have been developed to support schools with cyber resilience planning and management. This includes guidance to support governing bodies and management committees to help improve school’s understanding of its cyber security risks and Cyber security awareness training for school staff, produced by the National Cyber Security Centre (NSCS) to support school staff to help improve their school’s cyber resilience.

In addition, work has been undertaken during the 2023 to 24 academic year to develop a Cyber Response Plan for schools which is expected to be published before the end of the academic year.

Action status: Ongoing.

‘Cyber resilience’ refers to the ability for schools to prepare for, respond to and recover from cyber attacks and security breaches. Cyber resilience is key factor in operational resilience and continuity plans for education settings.

In addition to the current Educational Digital Standards published on Hwb, the Welsh Government will develop guidance to support schools to understand their responsibilities in responding to the threat and impact of a cyber attack.