The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has purchased access to the “Pol-Ed” programme to help develop young people’s awareness of risks, citizenship and the law.
Created by West Yorkshire Police and subject matter experts, Pol-Ed is an educational programme that is now available to all schools in the Humberside Police Force region. Covering early years through to Key Stage 5 (post-16), the ready-to-go resources include lesson plans, activities for pupils and special event packs for themed weeks and awareness dates. There is also an option for sessions to be delivered with support from Humberside Police’s Safer Schools Officers.
The educational content focuses on the OPCC’s commitment to reducing harm to young people being affected by crime and community safety issues. To best meet the needs of young people, Pol-Ed's resources are linked to the Department for Education’s statutory guidance and the PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) Association Programme of Study.
Amy Watkins, Head of Pol-Ed, said: “Great care has been taken to ensure our materials complement the statutory guidance towards PSHE and citizenship, provide innovative assessment opportunities and, of course, look great.
“The Pol-Ed programme can be used in its entirety, or schools can choose to easily embed some of its lessons within current schemes of work used already. Alternatively, Pol-Ed lessons can be taught standalone or reactively to address specific needs of the school community and the pupils within it.
“Our approach is holistic, focusing on educating children, preventing harmful behaviours and providing ongoing support to ensure their wellbeing. By addressing these areas comprehensively, Pol-Ed strives to create a safer and more nurturing environment where children can grow, learn and develop into responsible, confident adults who contribute positively to their communities and society as a whole.”
The Pol-Ed resources are split into four topic areas, covering age-appropriate interactions with people and situations a child may encounter both in and out of school:
- Relationships: Including consent between friends and partners, sexual offences, grooming and bullying.
- Keeping Safe: Including the role of emergency services, what can be perceived as anti-social, criminal exploitation and addiction.
- Understanding the Law: Including how to be a responsible citizen, hate crime, what to do if stopped and searched by the police and what constitutes public order.
- Wellbeing: Including how children can look after themselves, what level of care they should expect, how to look after their own mental health and the changes their body may go through as they grow older.
Available in 14 police force areas in the UK, over 5,000 schools and 31,000 teachers now regularly access the Pol-Ed website. 50 schools in the Humber region have already registered for Pol-Ed.
Superintendent Paul French said: “The investment into the Pol-Ed programme will provide important support to those working with children and young people across our Humberside communities and aid in efforts to prevent crime and divert people away from offending behaviours.
“Engaging with children and young people has always been a priority for Humberside Police, and Pol-Ed is a fantastic addition to the tools our officers and staff use every day.
“This programme will further aid our proactive Safer Schools offer, with the hope to empower children and young people, through the right information at the right time, ensuring that every child has access to the same high-quality advice to help them make positive choices and stay safe.”
Jonathan Evison, Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside, added: “Pol‑Ed gives teachers the tools to help young people make positive, informed choices by deepening their understanding of the law and building resilience. This work is funded through proceeds taken from criminal activity, turning harm into something that directly benefits our communities. It’s an investment that helps young people across the Humber region to thrive.”
Alongside resources for teachers, there is a range of materials for police forces and the four local authorities - Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire - to deliver in schools or other educational settings. In addition, further resources known as "Youth Inputs" will soon be available for use by community groups and care settings.
The Humber Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) will support the OPCC and Humberside Police with the rollout of Pol-Ed. Launched in 2022, the Humber VPP leads and co-ordinates the local response to preventing and reducing serious violence through a public health approach. The Humber VPP shares Pol-Ed’s aim of a safer Humber region where young people develop their resilience and ability to support each other.
Schools and educational settings in the Humber region can access the free resources by registering on Pol-Ed’s website.
