Guest post from the Home Secretary: “The most vulnerable children urgently need more protection during lockdown”

[BojanaMumsnet]

More children than ever now have access to the internet, with as many as half of all 10-year-olds owning a smartphone. Some spend more time chatting online than they do with friends or relatives in person.

As parents, we know the huge benefits the online world can bring to our children – opening up new horizons at the swipe of a screen – but we also have to be alive to the horrific dangers it can harbour.

The past weeks have undoubtedly been a difficult time for families, with parents having to juggle work and homeschooling. Many will be even more anxious after hearing warnings that internet predators may take advantage of the fact that children are off school and spending longer online.

I share your concerns and will use the full might of our law against these vile criminals. As Home Secretary, I work across government and policing to help ensure vulnerable children are protected from abuse. But as a parent, I too worry about my son when he spends hours on his phone. We don’t want to take our children’s devices away from them, but we need to make sure that they’re being protected from people approaching them who intend to do them harm.

Thankfully, parents don’t have to navigate the complexities of internet safety alone. Forums like Mumsnet are a wonderful way to brainstorm ideas, support each other and share experiences of the different ways children are dealing with the pressures of the lockdown, and some of the threats and challenges they are confronted with.

There are also plenty of resources developed by specialists and children’s charities which can help parents protect their children online, and we have compiled this guidance to help parents and carers find the right ones. It highlights the importance of age-appropriate parental controls, which I use myself for my son. These controls can help block unsuitable content, including nudity or excessive violence, or prevent children from buying things when playing games.

Our excellent law enforcement agencies are also working flat out to keep our children safe, including advising parents and carers how they can play their part. The National Crime Agency’s Thinkuknow campaign helps children of all ages develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to identify risk online and access help when they need it. The campaign includes animations for primary-age children and, for teens, guidance on relationships and sending images.

It also advises on steps we can all take to protect our children. This can be keeping communication channels open and talking to them about online dangers, or discussing their favourite new websites and apps – which may have changed during the pandemic. For younger children, it is also advised to talk about online safety as soon as they have an interest in using a family device – Thinkuknow has lots of advice on how to do this in an age-appropriate way.

Alongside ensuring parents are armed with the tools they need to protect their families, I am working across the government and with charities to ensure our children stay safe. The amazing voluntary sector has been ramping up their efforts to protect young people in this time of crisis, and we are continuing to work together to ensure that victims and survivors have access to the best possible support.

My mission to make the internet a safe place for young people to thrive has not been thrown off course by Coronavirus. The government continues to work at pace on our Online Harms legislation, which will place a legal duty on tech firms to protect vulnerable users from harmful content.

And we are acting now to do more when the most vulnerable children may need it most. That includes those who are not safe in their own homes, who may feel particularly vulnerable, afraid and exposed during the lockdown period. Last month, the Prime Minister hosted a Hidden Harms Summit to bring together experts and organisations to explore what more we can do to protect vulnerable people during and after lockdown, including children at risk of sexual abuse.

Have no doubt, while children are at risk of these heinous crimes, we will provide help wherever it is needed. As a Government we’ve provided additional funding of over £3.2 billion for local authorities, helping them to support the most vulnerable during lockdown. We have also invested £1.6 million to expand and promote the NSPCC’s helpline for adults, offering advice and support on how to raise concerns about children at risk.

Our next big step will be to publish a national strategy later this year to tackle all forms of child sexual abuse and bring predators to justice. 

My message to worried parents is simple. I know how you feel, I share your horror, and I will not stop until we have rooted out the abusers who prey on our children. I have met with victims of sickening child sexual abuse and their stories have only strengthened my resolve to prevent this horrendous crime from shattering the lives of more young people and their families.

That is why I will continue to do everything in my power to crack down on abusers online and offline, and to arm you with the support and tools you need to reduce your child’s risk of being targeted by paedophiles.

As parents, we keep our children’s welfare at the heart of everything we do. Let’s join forces to ensure our loved ones are using the internet in a safe way. Protecting our children’s lives and securing their futures, during lockdown and beyond.

The Home Secretary will respond to some comments and questions next week.

[Msmcc1212]

Whilst I encourage direct conversations between us (the public) and them (our elected government) I just can’t bring myself to ask a question or make a statement. I have ZERO faith that this government has any genuine concern or care for anyone. PIP, Universal Credit and now the awful, slow, arrogant handling of a global pandemic. All of this, along with the Cummings situation and the awful cover up that then ensued means I have no respect or faith that they have any amount of empathy for anyone. They have let people die needlessly time and time again.

We need a wholesale change in approach. Trickle down economics doesn’t work.

The most helpful things this Government could do for children is to prioritise tackling climate change, decrease social inequality and properly fund statutory services including those that work to prevent such awful crimes and look after the survivors.

This is not something the current Government will ever do.

[BankofNook]

she REALLY drew the short straw didn't she

"Our approval rating is plummeting. You're a mum, Priti, get out there and appeal to some of your fellow mums by chatting about mum stuff..."

One thing the government could do to aid vulnerable children is to bring back Sure Start. Research shows that early intervention is key to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and Sure Start provided vital support to families who needed it.

I would like to know why the government are encouraging us to send our children back to school when, thanks to the relaxation of EHCP laws, school are now under minimal obligation to meet the needs of vulnerable SN pupils? School is no longer the best place for my DS as he will not have the support measures needed for him to access a decent standard of education.

[Msmcc1212]

‘One thing the government could do to aid vulnerable children is to bring back Sure Start. Research shows that early intervention is key to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and Sure Start provided vital support to families who needed it.’

That too!!!

[Juanmorebeer]

Hi. I'm a police officer working in difficult, under resourced circumstances every single day.

To prioritise vulnerable children what plans for investment do you have to resource specialist units such as CAIU child abuse investigation units or Domestic Violence teams? As the ones I work in do their best but we are already on our knees so can you send us some more staff please? Or perhaps you have plans to drastic increase the amount of PSCOs in our communities who do such valuable community engagement often with our schools and youth services (well, the ones you haven't cut, anyway). As you'll know being home sec, this sort of early intervention has a really positive impact on future outcomes. So why can't we do it properly?


Do not dare insult me by quoting something about 20000 uplift when your party cut MORE police officer roles than this in your office AND there are far more officers retiring each year than joining up. Even my young child can do that maths and see, something doesn't quite add up. 20k is a drop in the ocean.

So even with your extra officers (which by the way it takes up to 2 years to recruit one single officer) that takes us to 2022 EARLIEST.

What are you doing NOW?

This global crisis has highlighted so many things that need attention, a couple that are touched on here.

Looking forward to your response as are all my colleagues.

[Portland1411]

I have something to say whether it be worthy of a story I don’t know ! Independent schools that is in my belief corrupted , have lots to say lots of stories to tell regarding my experience with my daughter at a private school! I to had attended an independent school but oh how it is no longer ! It appears that when you choose to send you children nowadays to private school it’s for the status quo not for the smaller class sizes or quality of education ! It is simply to say Im loaded therefore = private school. I chose independent for my daughter so that it she wouldn’t come home speaking like a crew of Eastenders and a better education . However I found it to be an incubus of corruption, status quo and prejudice. Here is a recent email from the school giving a taster of what I have to reveal as I’m sure many others do but don’t dare to These days we are filled with stories of perversions , corruption etc against children but this is a story to be told ! There are children given full rein to repeat their parents teachings regarding the N word and other racial hate speech ! My child has come home with the most obscene racial hate speech amongst other things the more I complain the more I’m hated by the school , I have a wonderful child full of compassion and humanity that simply will never fit in to this bizarre evil mould I can’t ignore the evil and corruption I witness as it would mean I am complicit to evil. Although the racist hate speech doesn’t directly effect my family any racism should effect everyone , the school have their favourites and don’t shy away of making this as obvious as possible ! For example many parents have complained about this one child and her racist hate speech and bullying of others however everyone has taken in what it appears as an oath to stay quiet and not to complain parents complain amounts themselves in exchange for the schools preferential treatment of their children in return. The teachers gossip with their favourite parents and gossip maliciously about other children to parents of the presence it is disturbingly monopolised ! We are powerless and they know this they are free to do as they wish !

The email from the school is just a taster which might be the norm for some in this bizarre world we live in today but not not for myself or my family trying to attach the email but failing to do so .... the content of the email is this...

Dear Parents and Guardians

We are starting to prepare for the transition of your daughter to the next Year group in September. This year we are giving you the opportunity to discuss with your daughter, and come up with, the names of up to four girls she would like to have in her next class. These could be from your daughter’s current class, others in the year group, or pupils joining us in September. If there are, exceptionally, any students with whom you would rather not have your daughter placed, please contact your daughter’s current class teacher so that we understand the situation and can bear this in mind when we make up the class lists. Any information which you pass to them will remain confidential and will only be shared with those involved in the process.

Ultimately, as we are sure you will understand, the school will make the final decision about classes. We will, however, ensure one of your daughter's choices from the list is accommodated.

We will be in a position to let girls know the class lists for next year on, what would be Induction Day on 23 June. In order to do this, please complete the electronic response form below by Friday 12 June.

We look forward to receiving your replies.




Please I need a platform to release , opinions would be greatly welcomed! They are surely causing a divide amongst the children, children telling each other my mother says I shouldn’t speak to you because the teacher said so to my mother etc etc ! These breading conditions for sociopaths and mean girl behaviour! I have y come across this before asking the above ?! I refused to take part last year as it caused my child anxiety but surely I’m not over reacting surely one can see these are not psychologically health conditions for our children . School used to be a haven for some but now it has become a toxic playground controlled by bitter disturbed individuals!

[jakeyboy1]

Our school is providing online learning through haphazard means across a variety of platforms. When I advise them I'm still working full time and some interactive, live online education would be helpful I'm told they can't teach online, it's not safe?! They suggest I leave my child with a device to do work on their own. I do not wish to leave my child with a device on their own. How is this acceptable advice from a school and how can they hide behind it not being safe for them to teach online when plenty of others are?

[horizontilting]

"Whilst I encourage direct conversations between us (the public) and them (our elected government) I just can’t bring myself to ask a question or make a statement. I have ZERO faith that this government has any genuine concern or care for anyone."

What Msmcc1212 said.

Priti Patel? This Government? Vulnerable children have no hope.

[Lucylou37]

This post is embarrassing! Another piece of Tory propaganda. How anyone has any respect for this government is beyond me! As someone earlier said, their Tory spin masters have probably been sat around a table and said 'how can we up our ratings, I know let's do a post on Mumsnet to appear caring.'I think Mumsnet as a forum also have a responsibility, if you're allowing the government to post then they should at least have to take part in a Q&A forum. Whilst the vulnerable do need access to this type of information from the government, this just reeks of propaganda and I don't really see its actual purpose?

[Lucylou37]

Oh and apparently 'The Home Secretary will respond to some comments and questions next week.' Once her spin machine have sifted out the difficult questions, and made sure it's questions she can answer in a positive light!

[AppleKatie]

To be honest I’d rather the Home Secretary did her actual job and the chances of her reading this thread herself are slim to none.

If you want to help the vulnerable Priti. Help them.

You have both the means and the power.

Please stop insulting our intelligence with posts like this when your actions are already speaking crashingly about your ignorance, prejudice and lack of empathy.

[nogooddeedgoesunpunished]

This is a disaster and to be frank what were you thinking Mumsnet ? I know you're short of cash but this is crass. If not money then presumably favour ? We want answers but why ask us to post when it's clear we won't get them. Poor effort

[BankofNook]

if you're allowing the government to post then they should at least have to take part in a Q&A forum

I agree with this by @Lucylou37.

If someone is allowed to make a guest post then they should be obliged to take part in a Q&A session. This should particularly obligatory for members of the government who should have the integrity and conviction of their beliefs to answer whatever questions members have about their guest posts.

Priti Patel isn't going to answer any of the questions here. She's posted an extended soundbite and that is the last we will see of her.

[MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing]

Why don't you just bring back evacuation and send all the children away to the country?

There's a place in Durham that could take a few.

[RowanMumsnet]

@blackberrycane The Home Office approached us with this one.

Thanks for questions and comments so far - would appreciate it if everyone could remember our rules when we're hosting guests and stay on the right side of civil. Robust questioning is fine but please steer clear of personal abuse.

Thanks

[BlackberryCane]

[quote RowanMumsnet]@blackberrycane The Home Office approached us with this one.

Thanks for questions and comments so far - would appreciate it if everyone could remember our rules when we're hosting guests and stay on the right side of civil. Robust questioning is fine but please steer clear of personal abuse.

Thanks[/quote]
Thanks for clarifying.

Frankly you should probably start charging for this type of thing. If it's a formal Q and A session that's one thing, but a guest post for a politician is more like free publicity. It's an extended soundbite, as a pp said, with them getting more out of it than you. So if you're going to be used in that way, tell them to pay!

[Moondust001]

[quote RowanMumsnet]@blackberrycane The Home Office approached us with this one.

Thanks for questions and comments so far - would appreciate it if everyone could remember our rules when we're hosting guests and stay on the right side of civil. Robust questioning is fine but please steer clear of personal abuse.

Thanks[/quote]
Whilst I agree that there should not be personal abuse, I think that this entire thread is entirely inappropriate and ill-conceived. It is a party political broadcast in the poorest taste, from a government who have systematically smashed social and childrens care budgets across the country and now want to take the credit for what little everyone else is doing to repair the damage that they have done. This government, and it's predecessors, have made it abundantly clear that they do not care a fig about the poor, the disadvantaged or the vulnerable. They have lined their own pockets, and those of their cronies, at the expense of the majority. And it is one rule for them and another for everyone else.

MumsNet should be ashamed for allowing itself to be a platform for this.

[NeverTwerkNaked]

Why haven't enough resources been given to schools to support children who disclose abuse?;? My son's school wanted to get him specialist support but their funding had been withdrawn for this programme.

And why wasn't more thought put into the vital role schools play in safeguarding children and before closing schools why wasn't clear guidance (and funding) given that they should be contacting all children regularly? We have 3 children in 3 different primaries and none of them have heard their teachers voice since the schools closed.

[Msmcc1212]

This is not fooling us. This is spin and smoke screening. I have no faith that Priti Patel cares at all about children on the whole. If she and the Government did, it would be reflected in their policies. I’ve worked in children’s services for years so I’ve seen first hand the impact of Government policy on children’s wellbeing and health.

I will not engage in something that is a clear (and failing) PR stunt.

I would, however, encourage the sharing of the lived experience if anyone has been effected by Government policy directly as hearing about the lived experience of something sometimes has a powerful effect.

[Msmcc1212]

Moondust001

Completely agree.

[Jellycatspyjamas]

Why the focus on sexual abuse in your blurb? We know children during lockdown are potentially stuck in very adverse circumstances, subjected to physical and emotional abuse, domestic abuse, neglect and all the disadvantages that poverty brings and yet you chose to focus on the most “sensational”. I’m not for a second saying sexual abuse doesn’t need tackling, it absolutely does but so does the governments record on austerity which plunged families into poverty, so does the defunding of services that support parents to parent their children well, early intervention services that might prevent a child being beaten or abused.

I’m also interested in how you’re going to properly fund social workers so they can work effectively with struggling families, in stead of involving social workers when it’s too late. But you won’t answer any of those questions, will you.