FOI/202600523633 · FOI · unclear
Education Scotland - Guidance on identifying and referring suspected child sexual exploitation: FOI release
Information requested
Any guidance or advice issued by Education Scotland to schools or local authorities on identifying and referring suspected child sexual exploitation, since 2013, and the dates on which any such guidance was issued or updated.
Response
Please find below details of the information you have requested.
Guidance published and shared on Education Scotland’s website.
2017 Safeguarding – Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) 2021 Safeguarding and Child Protection This page provides an overview of supports relating to safeguarding and child protection. 2024 Online abuse and exploitation
Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. I have for ease included links to our website that contain the information noted above. Please note dates of publication and dates last updated are noted on the web pages.
If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain the information from the links above, thenplease contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.
Advice issued or shared by Education Scotland to schools or local authorities
09/11/2025 – Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Education Current Online Threats Presentation to ES Safeguarding in Education National Network
Focused on financially motivated sexual extortion and AI CSAM.
03/11/2025 – National Crime Agency Early Threat Notification for Safeguarding Professionals shared with ES Safeguarding in Education National Network for local targeted dissemination
https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/publicationfiles/765-com-groups-early-threat-identification-notice/file
25/06/2025 – National Crime Agency Guidance for Professionals on AI Child Sexual Abuse Material (AI CSAM) shared with ES networks for local dissemination
ai-guidance-scotland-final.pdf
21/03/2025 – National Crime Agency Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion campaigninformation shared with ES networks for local dissemination
Education Scotland worked with the NCA to adapt a version of guidance for Scottish parents which was shared across networks for onward dissemination to schools.
Financially Motivated Sexual Extortion (FMSE): advice for parents and carers
06/11/2024 - Child Criminal Exploitation Training for Trainers (T4T) presentation delivered to Safeguarding in Education National Network
Presentation subsequently shared with attendees only to allow them to arrange their own local training.
Learning outcomes: To have a better understanding of criminal exploitation. To consider the signs and indicators of these types of behaviours. To consider how to respond proportionately, effectively and confidently whilst also promoting safety and learning. To consider how to record concerns accurately and use them to help prevent future harm. To make sure harm prevention is promoted.
08/11/2024 - Scottish Government Practitioner Guidance – Criminal Exploitation shared with attendees at T4T Child Criminal Exploitation session
Criminal exploitation: practitioner guidance - gov.scot
28/11/2023 - Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour Training for Trainers Presentation (T4T) delivered to Safeguarding in Education National Network
Presentation subsequently shared with attendees only to allow them to arrange their own local training.
The aim of the professional learning was to explore online problematic sexual behaviours, and ways that schools can respond to these behaviours within their current child wellbeing and protection processes.
Learning outcomes:
To have a better understanding of young people's problematic online sexual behaviours. To consider the signs and indicators of these types of behaviours. To consider how to respond proportionately, effectively and confidently whilst also promoting safety and learning. To consider how to record concerns accurately and use them to help prevent future harm.
I trust this information is helpful.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact Please quote the FOI reference Central Correspondence Unit Email: contactus@gov.scot Phone: 0300 244 4000 The Scottish Government St Andrew's House Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Detected exemption language
2024 Online abuse and exploitation Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you.
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