AQW 40718/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 16/02/2026
Answered On Date: 20/02/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 39515/22-27, for his assessment of the increase in calls to the Child Protection Support Service.

Answer:

The Education Authority Child Protection Support Service (EA CPSS) Helpline ensures access to timely and specialist safeguarding advice from Designated Officers.

The EA has advised that the increased demand on the service reflects emerging safeguarding and child protection issues and complexity, including:

Impact of poverty and neglect on pupils

Operation Encompass (increase in domestic violence, including information being shared with schools by PSNI)

Online safety and abuse including artificially generated images and deepfakes

Impact of social media/Trolling

Racist behaviour and community unrest impacting on pupils, school communities

Harmful Sexual Behaviour displayed in school by young people

Allegations against staff

Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Criminal Exploitation

Bullying

Substance misuse (drugs and alcohol)

My officials are working closely with the CPSS officers to ensure that the department’s guidance and operational support for schools reflect this.