Source: Department for Education published on this web site Tuesday 1 September 2026

‘Keeping children safe in education 2026’ sets out the legal duties that schools and colleges must comply with to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18.

It applies to all schools and colleges, and is intended for:

• headteachers, teachers and school staff
• governing bodies, proprietors and management committees

All staff must:

• read ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026: part one’ in full
• follow their school’s or college’s safeguarding policies and procedures.

‘Keeping children safe in education 2026: part one – overview for all staff’ is a summary of part one. It is intended to be a complementary, quick reference and not to replace any part of the guidance.

We have removed the shorter version of part one from Annex A. This means that:

• all staff now follow the same safeguarding expectations
• governing bodies and proprietors should make sure that all staff, including those who do not work directly with children, read part one

A full summary of the changes introduced in ‘Keeping children safe in education 2026’ is available in Annex C.

Source: Cambridgeshire Police published on this website Thursday 27 August 2026 by Jill Powell

A convicted sex offender has been jailed after breaching a strict court order by meeting up with children.

Jason Baker, 36, flouted a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) by contacting two 15-year-old girls.

The order was imposed in 2017 when he was given a four-year jail sentence for a sexual offence on a girl under 13.

He breached the notification requirements of the order and received a two-year community order in June 2025.

However, in September that year, he also met up with the two girls near to where they lived in Soham on multiple occasions and offered them drugs.

Police were informed and Baker, of no fixed address, was arrested.

He was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday (25 August) after admitting three counts of breaching a SHPO, two of supplying class A drugs and one of making an indecent image of a child.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Paul Evans, said: “Baker is a dangerous and predatory individual and is clearly a risk to young girls.

“I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and courage in coming forward in this case. A thank you must also go to officers from the child sexual exploitation hub, who played a vital role in supporting the victims.

“Sexual harm prevention orders and notification requirements are there to manage risk and safeguard the public. Breaching them is a serious offence, and we will take robust action against anyone who fails to comply.

“I would encourage anyone who has concerns about someone’s behaviour, particularly where children may be at risk, to report it to us so we can take action.”

Source: Sussex Police published on this website Friday 28 August 2026 by Jill Powell

A former East Sussex high school teacher has been convicted of raping and sexually assaulting a pupil at his school.

In 2021, Sussex Police received intelligence that Steven Hardie, a former teacher at Bexhill High School had groomed and sexually abused pupils while working at the school.

Hardie, 65, of Woodsgate Park in Bexhill, was a science teacher at the school – now called Mulberry Academy Bexhill – between 1991 and 2007, when he was dismissed after receiving a police caution for grooming a female pupil. This conviction relates to a different victim.

Following the receipt of intelligence in 2021, police seized Hardie’s electronic devices and found sexual messages between himself and a pupil at the school during his tenure.

Now a woman in her 30s, the victim was contacted by police and disclosed sexual abuse by Hardie starting when she was 15 years old, and reported being raped by him on two occasions after she had left the school.

Hardie was arrested and charged with two counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court concluding on Tuesday (25 August), Hardie was found guilty of all but one count of indecency with a child.

He has been remanded in custody to await sentencing at the same court on Monday, 26 October.

Detective Constable Rebecca Wilde said: “Steven Hardie used his position of trust to manipulate and prey on a teenage girl for his own sexual gratification.

“That teenage girl is now an adult woman who has helped bring her abuser to justice. I am extremely grateful to her for supporting this investigation and reconfronting these distressing events of her childhood.

“I would also like to thank the school, who have fully supported this investigation.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, please report it to us. We will support you, and we will do everything we can to get you the justice you deserve.”

Source: Northamptonshire Police  published on this website Wednesday 26 August 2026 by Jill Powell

Two men have been jailed after being convicted of controlling prostitution for gain in Northamptonshire.

Yong Wang, aged 52, of Bective Road, Northampton, was sentenced to 17 months' imprisonment, while Chang Xian Wu, aged 42, of Charminster Road, Bournemouth, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment.

The pair were sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, August 21, after pleading guilty.

The convictions followed an investigation by Northamptonshire Police into the operation of brothels within the county.

Detective Inspector Carrie Powers, of Northamptonshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: "The exploitation of vulnerable people for financial gain will not be tolerated in Northamptonshire.

"Wang and Wu have played a significant role in facilitating and profiting from prostitution, putting their own financial interests above the welfare of those involved.

"I welcome the sentences handed down by the court and hope this outcome sends a clear message that we will continue to pursue those involved in this type of criminality and bring them before the courts."

Anyone who has concerns about exploitation or suspicious activity linked to organised crime can report information to Northamptonshire Police online at www.northants.police.uk or by calling 101. In an emergency, always call 999.