This week, two members of staff responsible for student welfare attended a conference organised by Service Six as part of their TARGET Project.

The project, which stands for Targeting and Reducing Grooming, Exploitation and Trading of Children and Young People Online, is funded by the Big Lottery and aims to challenge the many and increasing dangers to children and young people online. 

CTS have been involved with the project since it launched last April. During this time period, Service Six have provided many services to the students to offer support and increase their awareness of online protective behaviours. 

CTS Education Welfare Officer Ms Toye, who attended the conference said: ‘Online dangers are a massive threat to young people and this conference highlighted just how vulnerable our students really are. We were able to look at current research and heard first hand stories from people affected through online exploitation. It is so important as a school to make students aware of the dangers online and look at what we can do to protect our young people. 

‘Working with service Six on the TARGET project has already allowed us to hold a number of workshops and provide support services. It is key that the students can identify a safe person to come and talk to if they are experiencing any issues online.’