Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to work with schools and youth organisations to improve educational programmes on the risks of knife crime.

The government is committed to preventing young people from becoming involved in violence and knife crime. Through statutory relationships, sex and health education, secondary schools are required to teach pupils about personal safety, risk and the factors that can lead to harmful behaviours, including violence.

As part of the government's ‘Protecting Lives, Building Hope: A Plan to Halve Knife Crime’, the department announced the Safety in and Around Schools Partnership, a targeted support programme for around 250 schools in areas most affected by knife crime. The Partnership will strengthen children's sense of safety, increase schools' awareness of knife crime risks and effective violence prevention approaches, and improve access to local support services.

The department has also worked with the Youth Endowment Fund to deliver a series of webinars for school and college leaders, sharing evidence on effective approaches to preventing violence and improving safety in education settings.

Schools are also encouraged to work with police, youth services, violence reduction units and voluntary sector organisations to provide age-appropriate education and support that reflects local needs and helps young people understand the risks and consequences of knife crime.