The Children's Society

Computer screen displaying a learning session titled 'Missing and Exploitation'

“Every missing episode is a safeguarding opportunity”

Five fantastic #LookCloser sessions this week, unpicking the link between missing episodes and child exploitation, reaching 800 professionals.

If you missed the sessions, you can access our free resources here: https://ow.ly/kFcH50XTWFA

Would you recognise the signs of child exploitation?

This question sits at the heart of our interactive parliamentary drop-in with @missingpeopleuk.bsky.social, where MPs were invited to step into the realities faced by young people who go missing.

#LookCloser

List of signs to spot signs of exploitation, including travelling alone, anxious, carrying cash, multiple phones or SIM cards, and tiredness.

If something doesn’t feel right, it might not be.

Learn more about the signs of child exploitation to help victims get the support they need today. #LookCloser

Missing children face real danger.

7 in 10 young people who have been sexually exploited have also been reported missing.

#LookCloser to spot missing and exploited young people in public places.

If you’re worried about a child or young person you know, contact Missing People on 116 000.

Exploitation can happen anywhere to any child.

This week, the #LookCloser campaign is raising awareness of child exploitation and how we can stop it in its tracks.

Image of young people signing each other's shirts as a background. White text with teal backgrounds in blocks read: 'Design the 2026 Young Carers Festival shirt - Rules:' 'Incorporate this years theme, Celebrating You' 'Entries no bigger than A4' 'Provide the first name (or initials) of the entrant and the project/school they are from' 'Young person to confirm that they’re happy for their design to be used throughout the festival' 'Entries sent to include@childrenssociety.org.uk by Thursday 19th March 2026.'

Do you work with young carers?

This year, young carers can design the t-shirt for the 2026 Young Carers Festival!

Help them showcase their personality with this year’s theme, Celebrating You.

Send all entries to include@childrenssociety.org.uk by Thursday 19th March 2026 📅

Good luck!

Young people who go missing are at risk.

That’s why next week, we’re hosting an event in Parliament to raise awareness of the harms faced by missing children.

We need your support to get MPs in the room!

Email your MP today and ask them to attend: https://ow.ly/zgRI50YmnNM

Right now, there's no consistent measurements of children’s wellbeing.

Last week, we handed in a petition calling for the introduction of a National Wellbeing Measurement. But we need to keep the pressure up.

Email your MP and ask them to support the campaign?
https://ow.ly/OVfr50YlL4O

Has your child been blackmailed after sharing a nude? It’s child sexual abuse & it’s not your child’s fault if it happens to them.

Follow these 4 steps to take control: don’t pay, stop contact and block, report the account to the platform & report to the police/Child Exploitation Online Protection

We measure so much about childhood, but without a consistent annual national measure of their wellbeing, it’s harder to spot what’s stuck and act early.

And 4,328 supporters agree ✅

It’s time for the government to #MeasureWhatMatters

Read more: https://ow.ly/jVAW50YhZsx

Quote from a young person about feeling safe to discuss emotions outside their immediate family, set on a purple background with a heart and hand icon.

Thousands of young people experience sexual abuse every year. No child should face that trauma.

We support them to feel safe again and rebuild their futures through therapy, parental support and work in schools.

Read more: https://ow.ly/jYFp50YgXAT

Children's wellbeing is the missing national measure. It's time for the government to #MeasureWhatMatters

@oasisuk.bsky.social

Fantastic to see our research on girls' wellbeing featured on ITV's This Morning. Ashley James did an amazing job highlighting the challenges girls face and advocating for change.

Source: This Morning (ITV), broadcast on 10/02/2026

Every child deserves to feel happy, safe and hopeful about their future.

But our new report show that far too many don’t.

Our 21 years of research into children’s wellbeing reveal that school and appearance are the most problematic aspects of life for children.

Read: https://ow.ly/NvNI50Yc8v3

Image of a girl smiling at the camera outside. Smaller text at the top reads, 'A small donation to The Children's Society,' while larger text near the bottom reads, 'Makes a huge difference to children's lives.' The Children's Society logo at the bottom centre.

There are approximately 1.5 million children in the UK with a probable mental health condition.

We run services to help young people access support when they need it. Before their problems spiral.

By donating, you can help them too: https://ow.ly/xRr150YbyiW

Last week, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill report stage continued in the House of Lords.

The Minister highlighted our survey, demonstrating strong support to bring down uniform costs for families.

We hope the final version helps reduce how much families need to spend on school uniform.

This is a historic day for children and families across the UK as legislation to remove the two-child limit from our social security system starts to make its way through Parliament. The two-child limit was an awful experiment that hurt children. More than any other policy, the two-child limit is responsible for driving child poverty to its current record high. Poverty has a devastating impact on young lives. Children going without things they need to learn and grow, living in damp homes, struggling at school, facing isolation and stress. Today marks the moment when we start to turn things around for the next generation. We commend the government for making the choice to scrap the two-child limit and ask all MPs to stand with children and support this Bill. Every child deserves the best start in life, with a decent childhood that lays the foundations for a strong future. Ending the two-child limit sets our country on the right path to meet that ambition.

Today, the Bill to end the two-child limit begins making its way through Parliament.

The policy drove child poverty to a record high, hurting young people.

We commend the government's choice to scrap the two-child limit and join 65 other organisations in asking all MPs to support this Bill.

Graph depicting Mental Health Support Team coverage in schools and further education in England

Young people deserve timely mental health support. Wherever they live. But it's falling behind 🚨

The government committed to provide all schools with access to a Mental Health Support Team by 2029/30

But data suggests that the current rollout rate is simply too slow to reach this target.

Two people wearing dark coats take a selfie near the Palace of Westminster in London on a clear day.

Stay tuned for updates from the group as we continue building momentum and driving forward the changes needed to better protect children and adults who go missing.

Four people stand in an office room between two banners for The Children's Society and Missing People

We have relaunched the APPG for Missing Children and Adults with @missingpeopleuk.bsky.social and @michellewelshmp.bsky.social as Chair.

We are calling for
- Policy that reflects the needs of young people
- Improved support when children return
- Strengthened multi‑agency working

The iconic Big Ben clock tower stands tall against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds in London.

Going missing is rarely a standalone event. It can be both a cause and consequence of some of the most serious risks facing young people - including poor mental health, abuse and exploitation.

Navy blue background with a teal line on the right hand side, and lighter blue swirl. Text in bold reads: 'A closer look:' beside a yellow magnifying glass. Body text under the heading reads: 'Government strategy on violence against women and girls.' The Children's Society logo at the bottom centre.

Last month, the government published a strategy to reduce violence against women and girls.

We welcome the ambitions plans to prevent harm. But genuine, system-wide change is crucial to ensure prevention begins early and victims get justice.

Policy experts break it down👇
https://ow.ly/AV8I50Y4fCC

Make a difference in your community!🛍️

Donate items you no longer want and you'll be helping young people.

All you have to do is drop them off directly to The Children’s Society shops during opening hours, and we’ll do the rest.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/htBW50Y1cIz

The Minister with Mark and the TCS team

Great to welcome Home Office Minister Lord Hanson to @childrenssociety.bsky.social to meet colleagues working to disrupt young people being financially exploited, and share our youth voice report. A good conversation on how government can do more to safeguard young people from this type of harm.

Screenshot of BBC News article titled: "UK consulting on bringing in social media ban for under 16s."

The Govt has announced a consultation to improve children’s relationships with phones 📱

It's vital that young people’s voices are at the heart of it: understanding how and why they use the internet.

What do you think about a potential social media ban for under 16s? https://ow.ly/SmqT50Y0cqY

Image of a woman at a table with information on volunteering for The Children's Society. Text reading 'Give a little time, make a big difference.' The word 'little' is smaller than the rest of the text, with a blue underline, and the word 'big' is larger, with an orange underline.

Are you looking to make a difference this new year?

Volunteer with The Children’s Society and help empower children to build the future they deserve.

With roles across sectors and regions, you can choose how much time you give and what you do.

Join us: https://ow.ly/YZLy50XZGOI

Image of children at school, with text at the bottom reading: Gendered attitudes ingrained by 10 years old.

Do you work with children and young people?

Join our online course on recognising and tackling gender biases.

You will learn the importance of early support, what gender stereotyping can look like, and how to disrupt it.

Come along on 28th January: https://ow.ly/xsXC50XX7aN

Illustration of a parent and child using mobile phones with text about social media safety for parents and carers.

Being a parent in 2026 can be really tough. Balancing your child’s independence with their online safety isn’t easy.

Our social media safety guide is full of expert advice to help keep children safe online: ow.ly/JH0X50XVspW

Image of a smiling marathon runner on in focus with other runners in the background. To her left, text reads, 'New year, new challenge.' The Children's Society logo at the top right.

New year, new challenge!🏃

Are you ready to do something new this year AND help children across the UK feel less alone?

Run a half marathon for The Children’s Society. With registration fee discounts, now is the perfect time to sign up.

Join us: www.childrenssociety.org.uk/how-you-can-...

Four professionals stand around a yellow Kia car inside a modern showroom with The Children's Society branding visible.

Beep beep! We're proud to announce a new partnership with Kia UK 🚗

As part of the partnership, Kia UK will donate £1 for every card sold.

Together, we’ll tackle some of the most urgent challenges facing young people today 🧡