Our training sessions have been designed to raise awareness of online grooming and radicalisation and the tools will be available for you to use with children, parents and colleagues.
Young Zak the Gamer
Young Zak the Gamer is an engaging, interactive Prevent safeguarding resource developed by the Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent. Designed for professionals working with children aged 9–13 (upper Key Stage 2 and early Key Stage 3), this direct work resource supports exploration of the risks children may face in online gaming spaces, including exposure to grooming and radicalisation.
Through a series of video blogs (vlogs), participants follow Zak’s journey as his involvement in online gaming deepens. Each chapter is supported by carefully designed resources, including activities and worksheets, to prompt discussion and reflection around key safeguarding issues.
The training equips professionals to deliver Young Zak the Gamer sessions confidently in classrooms or with colleagues and parents. Topics covered include online safety, digital health, grooming awareness, safety planning, and strategies for seeking support. Participants will gain practical tools to help children build resilience, reflect on their online and offline behaviour, and know where to report concerns.
By completing the training, you’ll become a Young Zak the Gamer champion—ready to lead sessions, share resources, and support your wider community in tackling the challenges of Prevent safeguarding.
Whether you're an educator, safeguarding lead, or child protection professional, Young Zak the Gamer offers a powerful, practical way to help children stay safe, think critically, and respond confidently to risks in both online and offline environments.
Young Zak the Gamer: Prevent Safeguarding Resource for Online Grooming & Radicalisation Awareness
About the training
Young Zak the Gamer is a 90-minute interactive online training session designed to build practical safeguarding knowledge and confidence. It covers key topics including online safety, safety planning, recognising grooming, seeking support, managing wellbeing, and delivering effective Prevent safeguarding education.
Delivered in small, interactive groups, the session encourages open discussion and peer learning, guided by a facilitator using the Young Zak the Gamer tool, worksheets, and activities. Participants will be introduced to the simulation's structure and features, and consider how to effectively deliver sessions to children, parents, and colleagues.
By the end, you’ll be fully equipped to run Young Zak the Gamer sessions in your own setting. As a Young Zak the Gamer champion, you’ll also be able to support colleagues in using the resource and help embed it across your school or organisation.
Young Zak the Gamer is an opportunity to build practical skills, strengthen safeguarding practice, and create safer spaces for children both online and offline.
Learning outcomes
Through the Young Zak the Gamer training, participants will:
- Raise awareness of the grooming processes used in online and offline radicalisation.
- Explore how social media platforms can be used and misused in this context.
- Support children in identifying early signs of radicalisation among peers.
- Promote resilience through reflection and structured safety planning.
- Help children understand when and how to report concerns about radicalisation and internet safety.
This training supports and enhances the effective delivery of Prevent education as part of a broader safeguarding strategy.
Who is this training for?
Young Zak the Gamer simulation is designed for:
Teachers – to use with children in the classroom or during one-to-one sessions.
Child protection professionals – including those in education, youth work, and other roles that involve direct work with children.
Whether you're working in a school, youth service, or safeguarding setting, Young Zak the Gamer supports you in delivering meaningful, age-appropriate training around Prevent safeguarding.
Certificate and licence
Participants who complete the Young Zak the Gamer training will receive a certificate and a 12-month licence from the University of Kent’s Centre for Child Protection. This recognises you as a Young Zak the Gamer Champion, authorised to deliver sessions to children, parents, and colleagues. Champions can also support others in using the resource and oversee its implementation within their organisation. Licence renewals are available to ensure continued access and delivery.
Why train with the Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent?
The Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent is a multi-award-winning leader in advancing child protection knowledge through innovative simulations and training tools. With a proven track record of excellence and pioneering work in the field, the Centre for Child Protection is committed to equipping professionals with the competencies required to safeguard vulnerable children effectively
It taught me to be careful online and only play with people I know in the real world and not to share any personal information online.
FAQs
Simulation training is a popular tool across many professional services and industries. It is a safe and effective learning tool for anybody looking to enhance their skills, knowledge and decision-making abilities. At the Centre for Child Protection, we use the ‘serious game’ concept, allowing trainees to experience the kind of situations that can arise while working in a profession that involves child protection.
Simulation training is effective if you're looking to:
- Improve your ability to handle complex, real-life situations
- Develop or improve critical thinking abilities
- Build greater confidence in professional skills relating to child protection
- Practise collaborative decision-making with colleagues and teams
- Gain exposure to a wide variety of scenarios and outcomes
- Receive personalised feedback and hands-on guidance from expert training facilitators
If any of the above align with your personal and professional goals, our simulation-based training courses may benefit you.
Yes, our training is designed to be as immersive, realistic and as close to potential real-life scenarios as possible, without replicating the stories of actual victims.
Simulation-based training provides participants the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on, practical experience and to develop the confidence needed to effectively handle child exploitation and safeguarding decisions in their professional lives.
All participants will actively engage in realistic scenarios, allowing them to practise and apply new and developed skills throughout the course. The environment is reflective of the real world and, as such, participants are encouraged to ask questions, explore different strategies, and make decisions while in a safe environment.
The price for all courses provided by the Centre for Child Protection is dependent on several factors, including, but not limited to:
- Whether the training is provided in-person or remotely
- The number of participants
- The number of sessions required
- Length of the session/s
- Whether the training is a one-off or part of a training course made bespoke for your service or organisation.
We understand that budgets and needs can vary so we strive to provide flexible solutions. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements. We will be happy to provide you with a tailored quote.
Young Zak the Gamer is a 90 minute twilight session. This allows sufficient time for participants to engage in a number of interactive scenarios, reflect on guidance and support from the facilitator in small groups, and to spend uninterrupted time reflecting on the contents of the simulation and what they have learned.
The training is delivered online through an interactive virtual platform designed to foster active discussion, meaningful participation, and thoughtful reflection. Participants are encouraged to keep cameras on to help create a more engaging and connected learning experience.
This simulation training, and all other training courses provided by the Centre for Child Protection at the University of Kent, are available by arrangement only. To schedule a training session, please contact us, and we will work with you to discuss your learning and development objectives and to find a suitable date and time for your organisation.
I thought it was really fun and it taught me a lot.
Please see our booking page for details.
The simulations are available for organisations, individuals and independent trainers. We are also happy to arrange a bespoke group session at your organisation. Please email ccp@kent.ac.uk
Before booking your place, please note: unless formally agreed by the University of Kent, licences may not be used to generate income, licence holders may not be commissioned to deliver training and are not permitted to share enrolment details with others. Licences are for use within schools/organisations or for own CPD.
Please read the Terms and Conditions before booking your place on the CPD session.
