Safeguarding and the National Emergency Alert – September 2025

Safeguarding and the National Emergency Alert

On Sunday 7th September 2025 at 3pm, the government will run a nationwide test of the UK Emergency Alert system.

A similar test took place in April 2023, which sent a loud siren and message to millions of devices across the UK. While the system is designed to improve public safety, that test also highlighted important safeguarding concerns, particularly for individuals with hidden or concealed phones. This year’s test will follow the same process, and it is vital that those at risk know how to stay safe.

The Emergency Alert system is intended to warn people of life-threatening situations such as severe flooding, fires, or extreme weather. Alerts are sent directly to compatible 4G and 5G mobile phones and tablets, accompanied by a phone number or link to the GOV.UK website for further advice on how to stay safe.

What will happen when we get the alert?

When the alert is sent, your phone will:

  • Play a loud siren-like sound for around 10 seconds

  • Vibrate

  • Display a message on screen (in some cases, it may be read aloud)

This will happen even if your phone is on silent mode.

If you’d like to listen to the siren, click here to view the YouTube Video.

What if the device has no data, is on silent, or not connected to Wi-Fi?

You do not need mobile data or Wi-Fi for the alert to come through.

The only requirement is that your phone is:

  • Switched on

  • Connected to a 4G or 5G mobile network

  • Compatible with the Emergency Alert system

If your phone has no signal, is in airplane mode, or is switched off, it will not receive the alert.

Why could this be a safeguarding concern? 

For many people, the test will be a minor inconvenience. But for some, it may be dangerous.

If someone has a concealed or secret phone – for example, hidden from an abusive partner – the loud siren could expose its existence and put them at risk.

The Victims’ Commissioner, Nicky Brennan, previously warned:

“I know first-hand of many victims of domestic abuse who have a concealed phone as a lifeline, allowing them to keep in touch with friends and family or to be used in an emergency. While the emergency alert system is understandable, it is also vital we raise awareness that this can be switched off for those who need it.”

How can the siren be prevented?

If you (or someone you know) has a concealed phone for safety reasons, you can:

  1. Switch off emergency alerts in your settings:

    • iPhone: Go to SettingsNotifications → scroll to Government Alerts → toggle off Emergency Alerts.

    • Android: Go to SettingsNotifications (or Wireless Emergency Alerts, depending on model) → toggle off alerts.

  2. Turn the phone off or use airplane mode during the test period (3pm on 7th September). Either option will stop the alert from arriving.

This instruction video from 2023 remains relevant and explains how the siren can be disabled by switching off these emergency alerts in your settings app, for both Android and Apple devices.

Safeguarding reminder

This test is an important step in improving national safety – but it may also have unintended consequences for vulnerable individuals.

If you are responsible for safeguarding in your setting/organisation, please share this information with colleagues, parents, and carers so that those at risk are aware and can take steps to protect themselves.

 
If you have any questions about this, or if we can support you with safeguarding advice and training, please get in touch:
 
Call 01274 752299 or email admin@safeguardingsupport.com.
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Rachel Priestley

Rach has a background in Business Development and Administration, gaining much of her knowledge and experience through her 19 year career with the NHS working within the executive office, community services and public health. 

Before moving on from the NHS, Rach supported the Chief Executive, the Chairman and the Trust Board of a local NHS Care Trust, which managed Children’s Services. Her responsibilities spanned across HR, Finance, Governance, Compliance, Risk, systems and processes, and internal training. Rach also supported the Children’s Safeguarding Lead with safeguarding investigations.

In 2017, she left the NHS to pursue a successful self-employed career supporting business to grow, with flexible business development and administration support, which she continues to do on a part-time basis.

Rach is in house trained, and is passionate about delivering outstanding services and enjoys working as part of the safeguarding team to achieve a common goal.

In her own time, she loves spending time outside, and long walks with the two family dogs. 

Shelley Armstrong

Shelley joined Safeguarding Support in 2020 as an experienced AET-qualified trainer. She now leads on training delivery and safeguarding research, ensuring our clients remain informed and prepared for the ever-evolving challenges within safeguarding in education.

With a passion for fostering engagement, pride, and confidence through training, Shelley draws on a diverse background that blends commercial insight from the private sector with expertise in psychology and counselling. Her learner-focused approach ensures that every course is both practical and empowering.

Based in Yorkshire, Shelley enjoys walking her Springer Spaniel – whatever the weather!

Abigail Havon

Abigail is an experienced and AET-qualified trainer with a strong foundation in safeguarding, having begun her career in the charity sector. During her time there, she served as a regional manager and a key member of the safeguarding leadership team, where she contributed to the development of policies and procedures, designed and delivered training, and supported staff and volunteers working one-to-one with children in schools. 

 

In her current role with Safeguarding Support, Abigail primarily leads the Reflective Supervision programme.  Supervision is a process where through 1-2-1 meetings and in a group setting, structured support is given to safeguarding professionals across England. The programme focuses on helping DSL’s and DDSL’s manage complex workloads, reflect on their practice, build resilience, and promote wellbeing—enabling them to sustain their capacity to protect and support vulnerable children and families.

 

Abigail’s professional journey spans a variety of sectors and business environments, always in roles that demand strong communication, collaboration, and a people-centred approach. She is deeply committed to empowering educators to work collectively as part of a safeguarding team, believing this collaborative approach leads to better outcomes for children and young people.

Based in the Midlands, Abigail enjoys long walks and tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants.

Carol Stephenson

Carol has spent her entire career teaching in Bradford primary schools. Most recently she was Head Teacher of a large, outstanding, multi-academy trust, inner-city
school where she gained Local Leaders of Education (LLE) status.

Carol is a highly experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding Governor, with an extensive range of expertise, skills and knowledge. It was through this depth of experience that she became a dedicated representative of Bradford Children’s Safeguarding Board. In June 2019, Carol was awarded a Bradford Safeguarding Champions lifetime achievement award 2019 for her continued work in safeguarding the children of Bradford.

Carol is in-house trained and is NSPCC certified to deliver Child Protection and Safeguarding training.

In her spare time, Carol enjoys working on her allotment.