SP22 Response Response Pending

LCC online harms risk assessment review

Recommendation

Lancashire County Council should undertake a comprehensive review of how its children’s services and Early Help teams (i.e. Children and Family Wellbeing Service) assess and manage risk and online harms to children. This review should ensure that all frontline staff have a consistent and up-to-date understanding of online risks, and that they have access to effective tools and guidance to identify and respond to these risks. It should specifically include consideration of the risks associated with the use of Virtual Private Networks, which can enable children to bypass the safeguards established under the Online Safety Act 2023. The Department of Health and Social Care should consider whether reforms to national guidance, policy or training are required.

Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Response
Response Pending

No government response recorded.

Progress Timeline
Manual Entry
13 Apr 2026

Awaiting government response. Phase 1 report published 13 April 2026.

Source
Report The Southport Inquiry Report: Phase 1 13 Apr 2026
Responsible Bodies
Lancashire County Council Primary
Last formal update 13 Apr 2026