Crime and Safety Report

There has been growing concern about crime and safety in schools and colleges in Wales, with news reports suggesting some pupils’ behaviour is getting worse including serious examples of aggression and violence, to disruptive behaviour like disobeying rules, and lower attendance levels.

Nearly 2,000 young people took part in work, where they told us that:

• 40% had seen violent or abusive behaviour happen at their school or college, but only 19% felt that was a problem.
• Young people from marginalised groups, like those with disabilities, from different ethnic backgrounds, from poorer areas and LGBTQ+ young people feel less safe at their place of learning, and are more often the target of abuse and bullying.
• A significant majority of young people think disruptive behaviour in the classroom is a problem.
• Fewer young people say they struggle with mental health regularly compared to previous years, and more are seeking help, but stigma to access support is still a problem, and the quality of support can be improved.
• Young people wanted more access to teachers. Teachers and staff are vitally important, they need the resources and time to be able to effectively support young people, because when they do it makes a huge difference.
• Most young people didn’t feel involved in discussions on plans to keep pupils safe in schools/college – and more broadly didn’t feel they influence decisions and the way their education is delivered.
• Lessons need to be more fun and interactive, and connected to issues relevant to young people and their community to keep young people interested and less likely to disrupt learning. 

We call for:

1. As a matter of priority, the Welsh Government should act to improve the experiences of young people from marginalised groups where they receive their education. They should build on our work and engage further with the groups highlighted in this report to identify solutions that will improve their safety and therefore their educational experiences.  
2. Review guidance for schools and colleges about reporting incidents, and security procedures and systems to make sure they’re tightened so young people are kept safe.  
3. Continue with efforts to improve mental health support in schools and college, with a focus on tackling stigma around getting support, improving the quality of support available, and making sure safe spaces are available to de-stress. Clear plans need to be in place to support pupils in the lead up to particularly stressful times, like exam periods.  
4. Improve pupil voice, ensure young people across all age ranges are involved in shaping policies and decisions about safety, inclusion, and the overall educational environment.  
5. Make lessons more engaging, interactive and connected to issues that are important to young people, so pupils feel more involved and motivated.  
6. Make sure schools and colleges have the resources they need to enable more opportunities for pupils to access direct 1-1 support from teachers and staff, and deliver more social activities, and social groups that will help build positive relationships between pupils and staff.
7. Provide more lessons for pupils, and training for staff that demonstrate the consequences of serious crimes, how to stay safe on crime and safety, healthy relationships, positive behaviours, and diversity and inclusion to improve the educational experience for all young people including those from marginalised groups. This needs to be seen a continual, ongoing programme, not a one-time tick box exercise.
8. Provide support and facilitate sharing of good practice and guidance to schools and colleges to improve consistency across the country in respect of inclusion, managing pupil behaviour and bullying across the country.