KAHSC Safeguarding, Health and Safety Cumbria

In March 2026, the Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs issued a high-level instruction to retain and preserve any material, digital or physical, that may be relevant to the inquiry.

The inquiry has now issued a formal notice requiring individuals and organisations who hold potentially relevant information to preserve it and not destroy, conceal, or alter it.

The Inquiry is carrying out both national and local investigations.

https://www.kymallanhsc.co.uk/news/action-for-all-settings-grooming-gang-inquiry/

Our summer newsletter is now available at the following link https://bit.ly/4wb8Kph (PDF download) or at the top via the news tab on our website: https://www.kymallanhsc.co.uk/news/

In this newsletter we cover:

- In Court - the latest legal cases and what they mean for schools

- Changes to AAI guidance

- Free training opportunities

- Updates to Volunteer DBS checks

- Social Media Spotlight (including the proposed under 16 social media ban and the impact of doomscrolling)

- Product recalls

..and much more!

4 new policies will be ready for Sept 2026.

The four policies are:
- Allergy (Statutory)
- Bereavement (Recommended)
- AI (Recommended)
- Domestic Abuse (Recommended)

Please send in your policies to be revieved as soon as possible in word format to [email protected] so they can be added to her list.

Following the release of KCSiE 24, Courtney reviewed over 800 school policies. For KCSiE 25, that number jumped to 956 policies updated for our schools.

This service is free for KAHSC subscribers only. They can be purchased or updated for non-subscribers at an additional cost.

https://www.kymallanhsc.co.uk/news/new-policies-2026/

Be the mate who says: Nah, not worth it.
One dare. One jump. One “it’ll be fine.” That’s all it takes.

🌡️ As temperatures continue to rise, it's more important than ever to recognise the signs of heat-related illness in children.

Would your team know how to spot the signs of dehydration, heat exhaustion or heatstroke and respond quickly?

To help Early Years and School Age Childcare services, Canavan Byrne is giving away our "Recognising and Responding to Heat-Related Illness in Children" poster completely FREE.

Download your free poster today, display it in your service, and help ensure your staff are prepared to keep children safe during hot weather.

👉 Visit our website to download your FREE poster : https://earlyyearsshop.ie/product/recognising-and-responding-to-heat-related-illness-in-children-poster/

📚 Policies, policies, policies...

Following the release of KCSiE 2024, Courtney reviewed and updated over 800 school policies. For KCSiE 2025, that number increased to an 956 policies reviewed and updated for our schools.

Although we're only in June, many schools are already getting ahead of the game and sending their policies in ready for the release of KCSiE 2026 this September. Being early means you'll be at the front of the queue when the updates begin. As a reminder, policy reviews and updates can be a lengthy process, particularly when schools have a large number of documents requiring amendment (the child protection policy alone is 62 pages, nearly 40,000 words). That's why we encourage schools to submit their policies as early as possible.

Best of all, this service is still completely FREE for schools that subscribe to us and included in your contract.

If you'd like us to review and update your policies following the release of KCSiE 2026, please send them to [email protected] and we'll add them to our update schedule.

✨New blog post✨

The Secondary School Audit Checklist: 10 Tips for Success

We have audits up until December, these tips are aimed at Secondary schools but many will also be applicable to primary/others!

https://www.kymallanhsc.co.uk/news/

📩Sharing child protection and safeguarding records📩

In April we did a session which covered key responsibilities, best practice, and what schools need to know to remain compliant when transferring sensitive pupil information.

The webinar recording is now available to purchase for just £20 + VAT.

A practical resource for DSL's, SLT, and anyone involved in pupil file transfers.

Email [email protected] to purchase a copy of the recording which you can keep forever

The government aims to introduce new legislation by Christmas 2026, with it expected to be in place by Spring 2027.

The key plans announced this morning, inspired by Australia's recent social media ban for under-16s are below.

What will happen to young people who access social media after the ban? Nothing. The consequences will fall on the providers/Big Tech companies, which could face fines for failing to put appropriate safeguards and age-verification measures in place.

The government's hope is not only to improve child safety but also to encourage a cultural shift, a "what they don't know, they don't miss" approach.

A social media curfew is also being considered for 16-17 year olds, although the proposal will be subject to further consultation before any decisions are made.