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The safeguarding steps follow UKCIS and KCSIE 2026 guidance. Change school details freely; agree any change to the steps with your DSL.

[Your school name]

Nude, semi-nude or sexual image of a pupil: what to do

Staff quick referenceOctober 2026

For all staff, supply staff and volunteers. DSL means Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Child in immediate danger

Call 999

Every other concern, straight away

Tell the DSL on [school office number]

Deputy DSL: [name and phone]

What to do: four steps

  1. Listen and reassure

    • “Thank you for telling me.”
    • “You are not in trouble.”
    • “This is not your fault.”
    • “We will get help.”

    Do not promise to keep it secret.

  2. Don’t look, don’t copy

    If shown an image, look away. If handed a device, don’t look at it: keep it secure for the DSL. Never ask for, forward, save or screenshot it. On your own device? Don’t open, share or delete it.

    Don’t confront anyone, investigate or contact parents.

  3. Note what you heard

    The child’s own words, usernames and the app or website, without looking at the device.

    Never a copy of the image.

  4. Tell the DSL

    Now, in person or by phone, not by email. Record it the same day on the safeguarding system.

    Can’t reach the DSL or deputy and a child is at risk? Call children’s social care (below) or the police.

Threats or demands for money

  • This may be sextortion. Advise the child to stop replying, and not to pay or send anything more.
  • Tell them not to delete messages or accounts yet. You do not collect or screenshot anything.
  • Go to the DSL before the child goes home. Risk of self-harm: call 999.

Treat these just as seriously

  • AI-made or altered images, of pupils or staff, even “as a joke”.
  • A pupil who has received or forwarded another child’s image, or an image threatened but not yet shared.
  • About a staff member or volunteer? Tell the headteacher, not the person. About the headteacher: the chair of governors.

Report Remove: a pupil can ask for an image to be removed

A Childline and Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) service for young people under 18 in the UK. It covers nude or sexual images and videos of them online, including AI fakes.

The pupil goes to childline.org.uk (search “Report Remove”), signs in or creates a Childline account, follows the steps and gets updates in their Childline locker.

Not guaranteed. Timing varies, and the IWF cannot remove images from encrypted apps such as WhatsApp, or ones saved only on a phone or computer.

Your role

  • Tell the DSL first. The DSL decides with the pupil, and a parent or carer where safe, whether and when to use it.
  • The pupil reports on their own device. A younger child will need an adult’s support, but the adult never looks at the image.
  • Never view, handle, upload or report the image for them, or use a school device or account.
  • Removal is not the whole safeguarding response. Record that Report Remove was discussed.

For the DSL: refer immediately to the police and/or children’s social care if

UKCIS points for immediate referral. Decide from what you know; do not view imagery to decide.

  1. An adult is involved.
  2. There is coercion, blackmail or grooming, or concern about capacity to consent.
  3. The acts are unusual for the child’s developmental stage, or violent.
  4. It involves sexual acts and any child in it is under 13.
  5. The child is at immediate risk of harm, for example self-harm.

If none applies, the DSL decides the response using the UKCIS advice and records the reasons. If in doubt, seek advice. Tell parents early unless that would put a child at risk. Never delete imagery if police are, or may become, involved.

Contacts