Published today – available free online at this link.

So often the focus when looking at loneliness is on mental health issues, but the desperate need to feel they belong makes young people vulnerable to exploitation. This includes gangs, grooming, bullying, radicalisation and on-line hate groups. Perceived rejection can sometimes lead to revenge with potentially catastrophic outcomes. What happens in education, from the time a child enters school until the day they leave, matters for the safety and wellbeing of both individuals and communities.