How e-safe is your school, college or community group?
Do you:
Have a nominated e-safety coordinator?
An e-safety coordinator is crucial to the process of developing and maintaining an e-safe culture. This should be a named individual with specific responsibility for overseeing all areas of digital safeguarding within your organisation, ideally as part of a wider child protection or safeguarding role.
Have appropriate and robust acceptable use policies?
Acceptable use policies (AUPs) are simple documents, detailing the way in which new and emerging technologies may and may not be used, and listing sanctions for misuse. When embedded within a wider framework of e-safety measures, AUPs can help to promote the positive behaviours needed to keep all users safe online.
Review your e-safety measures regularly?
There are four important elements to creating an e-safe environment: policies supported by consistent e-safety practices; a safe and secure technology infrastructure; education and training for everyone, and standards and inspection. You should regularly review your approach in each area to ensure your e-safety measures are appropriate and effective.
Use an accredited supplier for internet services?
The Accreditation of Internet Services to Education scheme enables schools and other establishments to make an informed choice of internet service provider (ISP) or filtering solution. Accredited suppliers must meet and maintain specific standards in content filtering and service performance in areas such as browsing of web-based content, email filtering, blocking and filtering of newsgroups and chat services, and virus alerting, all with a strong focus on e-safety.
Use e-safety as part of your inspection evidence?
Safeguarding is not a new aspect of inspection, but has been given an increased focus in the new inspection framework, now forming a ‘limiting judgement’. Schools, colleges and other children’s services must actively monitor the impact of their e-safety policies as part of their wider safeguarding strategies when completing their self-evaluation form (SEF).
Keep a log to record and monitor e-safety incidents?
Logs of e-safety incidents, resulting outcomes and follow-up actions are essential for maintaining a safe online environment. Schools, colleges and children’s services should regularly review their e-safety provision, and logging and monitoring will help in this process.
Raise awareness of e-safety issues by holding workshops and events?
Assemblies, workshops or training sessions can help to raise awareness of e-safety issues and risks, along with the many positive opportunities offered by new technologies. They can be an excellent way of engaging with your stakeholders and local community, and gaining support for your e-safety approach.
