Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make it his policy to put in place adequate access to (a) helplines and (b) charities for students in schools who are in need of support in respect of sexual and domestic abuse.

We continue to contribute funding to the NSPCC to ensure that children and young people of all ages have access to free, confidential and expert safeguarding advice and can raise concerns about sexual and domestic abuse. Support and advice are also available to professionals, parents and carers, and to any adults who have concerns about a child.

We have also created the ‘Report Abuse in Education’ helpline with the NSPCC, specifically in response to the testimonies shared on the ‘Everyone’s Invited’ website. This dedicated route for raising concerns, receiving advice, or reporting an incident has received over 400 calls since 1 April 2021 and will be open until October.