British Council Launches Safeguarding Toolkit to Support Saudi Schools Facing Digital Risks and Low Disclosure

Developed with UNICEF and grounded in 15+ years of British Council safeguarding practice across 100 countries
Helps schools move from safeguarding policy to consistent day-to-day practice
UNICEF estimates around 150 million students aged 13–15 experience peer-to-peer violence in or around schools globally
Rolling out across 2,500+ British Council Partner Schools worldwide, reaching nearly 1.7 million students

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The British Council has launched a new global Safeguarding Toolkit, developed in partnership with UNICEF, to help Partner Schools in Saudi Arabia strengthen early identification, proportionate action and consistent safeguarding practice.

Across the Middle East and North Africa, safeguarding risks are often hidden rather than absent. Digital exposure has increased the risk of online grooming and sexual exploitation, while social stigma can prevent children from speaking out. UNICEF and the ITU report that one in three internet users worldwide is a child, increasing exposure to exploitation and manipulation online. The World Health Organization estimates that one in seven adolescents lives with a mental health condition, often intersecting with safeguarding concerns in school settings. Yet the persistent gap is not awareness; it is implementation. Many schools have safeguarding policies, but everyday decision-making can vary.

Fakhar Jaffery, Exams Director, KSA, Kuwait and Bahrain at the British Council, said: “In Saudi Arabia, schools are navigating a rapidly changing landscape covering digital risks - ranging from wrongful use of AI to online bullying and harassment. At the same time, stigma can make disclosure difficult for many students. This Toolkit provides school leaders, teachers and the wider community with the structure needed to recognise concerns early and respond consistently, ensuring safer learning environments for students.”

Almudena Olaguibel, Child Protection Officer at UNICEF Spain, said: “The Safeguarding Toolkit reflects a shared understanding between the British Council and UNICEF that effective protection depends on systems, not improvisation. As safeguarding risks become more complex and less visible, preparation, clarity and shared responsibility across school communities are essential.”

Designed as a practical, role-based implementation resource for everyday school use, the Toolkit supports a whole-school approach that reduces reliance on individual judgement. It clarifies responsibilities, strengthens recording and follow-up and establishes shared thresholds and escalation routes.

As safeguarding concerns increasingly move between online and offline environments, the Toolkit helps schools respond more consistently to risks including online grooming, harassment, coercion, impersonation and AI-generated sexual imagery, enabling earlier intervention before concerns escalate.

Rolling out across 2,500+ British Council Partner Schools globally, reaching nearly 1.7 million students, the Toolkit is designed to be adaptable across local legal contexts while maintaining consistency across an international school network.

Download the Safeguarding Toolkit

About British Council Partner Schools
British Council Partner Schools is a global community of 2,500+ schools, delivering UK qualifications such as International GCSEs, O Levels and A Levels. We help improve education quality, supporting learners worldwide to achieve their potential through UK education and qualifications. We support Partner Schools in over 40 countries, transforming lives of over 250,000 students each year.
https://saudiarabia.britishcouncil.org/en

Media contact:
Stella Wekesa, Regional Senior Communications Manager - Middle East and North Africa.
Email: stella.wekesa@britishcouncil.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/90ca5fb3-96c2-484e-889b-f34bc90a36cb

Safeguarding Toolkit

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