1. Sexting case study
Every case is unique, taking risk factors into consideration to aid decision making. No clear definite answers but safeguarding the child is paramount
Schools and youth settings should have a protocol and risk checklist to aid decision making and ensure consistency. Access to support and advice from designated safeguarding lead
The UKCCIS guidance for schools and colleges is excellent reference for any professional who works with children and young people and who may need to deal with this issue. It also clearly explains to other professionals the powers that a school has in relation to dealing with “youth produced sexual imagery”. For schools the guidance is an excellent reference document and gives thorough information about how to both respond and prevent these incidents. The information in the guidance, including flow charts and checklists will provide material for a school or youth setting to develop a protocol.

2. Conversation with young people
Importance of quality of conversation, non-judgemental, calm, explaining confidentiality and need to share, assessing risk and impact on child, safeguarding the child is paramount
What has the impact been? Is there a safeguarding risk for either child? What support do they need?
Empowering the child to keep safe, exploring the practical issues (e.g. is the image still on their phone? etc.) and being clear about next steps
UKCCIS guidance states – conversations should remain solution focussed and avoid questions like – why have you done this? Importance of understanding the context and pressures on young people and exploring this with them. Discussing issues of consent and trust within healthy relationships and where to get support.

3. Dealing with incident
• What sort of image is it? Is it potentially illegal or is it inappropriate? • How widely has the image been shared and is the device in their possession? Where could images be? (cloud/internet) • Does the child/young person need immediate support and or protection? • Are there other children or young people involved?
The conversation should identify – preferably without looking – what the image contains and whether anyone else has been involved and also who has seen the image and how it has been shared.
New guidance states – Adults should not view youth produced sexual imagery unless there is a good and clear reason to do so – page 15.
In a school, A device can be examined, confiscated and securely stored if there is reason to believe it contains indecent images or extreme pornography. When searching a mobile device the following conditions should apply:
• The action is in accordance with the school’s child protection and safeguarding policies
• The search is conducted by the head teacher or a person authorised by them
• A member of the safeguarding team is present
The search is conducted by a member of the same sex
See for further details of these powers.
NB: Never
Search a mobile device even in response to an allegation or disclosure if this is likely to cause additional stress to the student/young person UNLESS there is clear evidence to suggest that there is an immediate problem
Print out any material for evidence
Move any material from one storage device to another. If not reported to police

4. Reporting to the police
How explicit/what category is the image? (boy’s image was explicit – girl’s wasn’t)
Were coercion or threats involved?
The vulnerability of the parties and how they have been affected 
The police’s response would be to not criminalise the young people concerned. Viewed as sexting – not sharing of pornographic images. The matter would only be taken further if there are aggravating factors.
Outcome 21 – police ensure recording to improve information sharing and safeguarding – but not disclosed on a dbs (no guarantees)
National guidance for police is coming soon to ensure consistency on police response to sexting
UKCCIS guidance is again very helpful to support this decision making.
Police aren’t able to offer general advice on incidents. Once contacted this is a report which they are duty bound to record. Reporting to 101 they may not understand the issues. Safer Schools officer can give advice and direct support on prevention and management of issues.

5. How should other agencies be involved?
Existing safeguarding concerns, already been a M.A.S.H. referral
Importance of sharing information with other agencies. Who is able to support and work with the child?
Engagement and involvement of parents and carers is crucial to safeguarding the child
UKCCIS states: If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is aware children’s social care are involved should contact them, but also “they should contact children’s social carer if they believe they may be involved or if they have been involved in the past” “ The MASH may be the most appropriate place for schools to initially make a referral.
Informing parents and carers: should be informed unless informing them will put the young person at risk of harm. UKCCIS says “Any decision not to inform the parents would generally be made in conjunction with other services such as children’s social care and/or the police, who would take the lead in deciding when the parents should be informed.

6. Other things to consider
Dealing with the bullying – what other work needs to be done to address this? Consider if a restorative approach is appropriate?
What work is needed with the other young people who have been affected? Providing follow up support/education
Continuing to provide support and monitoring the risk
What preventative work is needed? - reviewing how and when to provide this
New national guidance for schools and colleges from UKCCIS :Sexting in schools and colleges: responding to incidents and safeguarding young people