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Safeguarding into 2026: Your Crucial New Year Checklist (Plus a Free Resource!)

  • Writer: Andy Mitchell
    Andy Mitchell
  • 1 hour ago
  • 3 min read

A Message to Headteachers & School Leaders

The Christmas term is finally drawing to a close! While you're undoubtedly focused on the nativity, the carol concert, and that well-deserved rest, there's one vital aspect of school life that doesn't take a holiday: online safeguarding.


The festive break, with its promise of new gadgets, increased screen time, and often less structured supervision, introduces a unique set of digital risks to your pupils and the wider school community.


Don't let the new term bring a nasty surprise. Use this moment of relative calm to tick off these three essential safeguarding checks.

children looking at an iPad

1. The 'New Device' Risk: Briefing Your Parents Now (A Plug-and-Play Solution)

Every Christmas, children across the country receive phones, tablets, gaming consoles, or VR headsets. These devices are digital doorways and if they aren't set up correctly, they can pose a serious risk.


The Action Point: Send a focused, high-impact communication to all parents before the final bell rings.


The MDM Solution: We know how precious your time is. That's why Mitchell Digital Media Ltd has developed a comprehensive, yet easy-to-read, document for parents: "New Devices, New Rules: A Parent's Essential Online Safety Checklist."


This resource covers the crucial steps: activating parental controls (for Apple, Android, etc.), restricting in-app purchases, and the essential safety conversation to have with children.

INSTANT VALUE ADDED: We are making this document available for you to download right now. You can take the editable Word document, quickly brand it with your school’s logo, and distribute it immediately via your usual communication channels, or use the PDF version for instant sharing. It’s an easy win for community trust and proactive safeguarding, just go to the bottom of this blog.
Children staring at digital devices.

2. Auditing Your Policies for January's Return

When was the last time your school’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) and your staff's Social Media Policy were genuinely scrutinised? The new year is the ideal time for the SLT to undertake a quick policy audit, ensuring you are Ofsted-ready and fit for the current digital landscape.

  • Is it Realistic? Do your policies reflect how staff and pupils actually use technology today? New platforms pop up constantly.

  • Boundary Clarity: Is the line between a staff member's personal and professional digital life explicitly clear? Staff-pupil digital boundaries are a critical safeguarding component.

  • The Content Management Challenge: Remember, safeguarding isn't just about what students see. It’s about how your school manages its own content. Ensure all photos, videos, and data are stored, shared, and managed strictly according to GDPR and your school’s policies.


3. Schedule that January CPD: Don't Delay the Training

Your staff are your first line of defence. However, digital threats evolve quickly. A module on email security from two years ago simply won't cover today’s sophisticated phishing attempts or the latest trends in digital peer pressure and bullying.


The Action Point: Schedule your online safety CPD with Mitcell Digital Media Ltd now for an inset day or a twilight session in January.

  • Targeted Training: Don't opt for generic training. Ensure the session addresses specific risks relevant to your key stages. Do your primary staff need better guidance on gaming safety? Do your secondary staff understand the complexities of sexting and image sharing?

  • Whole-School Approach: Remember that online safety isn't just the DSL's job. Everyone from the midday supervisor to the Chair of Governors needs relevant, up-to-date awareness.


Ready to Face the New Term?

The online world moves at pace. By taking these three steps now, you ensure your school's safeguarding foundation is rock-solid for the new year.


As specialists in the education sector, Mitchell Digital Media Ltd delivers dynamic, UK-specific Online Safety Training that is impactful, up-to-date, and relevant for teachers, children, and parents across all key stages.


Don't leave your digital security to chance in the new term.


🎁 Your Free Resource Download

Click below to access your plug-and-play parent document and take the pressure off your Christmas week admin:


Ready to discuss bespoke online safety training that meets your specific needs and helps tick off that vital January CPD? Click here to book a quick, no-obligation chat with MDM and secure your inset day slot.

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