Middlesbrough Borough Council in North Yorkshire launched a new training programme on February 13, 2026, to help teachers and youth workers spot and stop hateful behaviour among young people. The project, called Educate and Unite, is being rolled out to local schools this term to give staff practical tools to handle difficult conversations about identity and migration.
The initiative focuses on how children might be influenced by extremist views or misinformation they find on social media. According to Middlesbrough Borough Council, the goal is to provide earlier support for young people at risk and ensure schools remain safe environments.
This training is funded by the government through a £665,000 Community Recovery Fund, which was provided following the riots in August 2024. The council is delivering the programme alongside Media Cultured CIC, a social enterprise that works to challenge racism and radicalisation in the community.
Staff will learn how to address controversial subjects that students encounter online, including themes like Islamophobia and antisemitism. The rollout follows recent reports of tension in the area, and local leaders say the resources will help pupils navigate a world where extremist views can lead to acts of hate.
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