Online Safeguarding
Policy

Version |  June 2022

Review Date: June 2023

Approved review date by Governors:

Table of contents

Introduction        3

Policy Governance:        3

Schedule for review:        4

Scope of the Policy:        4

Roles and Responsibilities:        5

Online Safeguarding Education and Training:        7

Communication devices and methods:        9

Unsuitable/inappropriate activities:        11

Good practice guidelines : Email        13

Good practice guidelines : Images, photos and videos        14

Good practice guidelines : Internet        15

Good practice guidelines : Mobile phones        16

Good practice guidelines : Social networking (eg. Facebook/Twitter)        17

Good practice guidelines : Webcams        18

Incident Management: Students        19

Incident Management: Staff and community users        21

Staff Online Safeguarding Incident Flowchart        22

Student Online Safeguarding Incident Flowchart        23

Appendix 1: Student AUP        24

Student Acceptable Use Policy Agreement        25

Appendix 2: Staff, volunteer and Community AUP        26

Staff, Volunteer and Community User Acceptable Use Agreement Form        28

Appendix 3: Use of Images Consent Form        29

Appendix 3: Posed risks to children of constant Internet access        30

Introduction

The academy Online Safeguarding Policy applies to all members of the academy community (including staff, students, volunteers, parents/carers, visitors, community users) who have access to and are users of academy ICT systems and mobile technologies, both in and out of the academy.

At Co-op Academy Swinton we understand the responsibility to educate our students in online issues, teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the Internet and related technologies in, and beyond the context of the classroom.

Both this policy and the Acceptable Use Agreement are inclusive of both fixed and mobile internet technologies provided by the school (such as PCs, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablet PCs, webcams, whiteboards, voting systems, digital video equipment, digital cameras, visualisers etc.); and technologies owned by students and staff brought onto academy premises such as laptops, mobile phones etc.

Policy Governance:

Development of the policy at the time of publishing the first policy
This Online Safeguarding Policy has been developed by a working group/committee comprising:

Monitoring and Review of this Policy annually

Schedule for review:

Scope of the Policy:

This policy applies to all members of the academy community (including staff, students, volunteers, parents/carers, visitors, community users) who have access to and are users of school ICT systems and mobile technologies, both in and out of the academy.

The use of technology has become a significant component of many safeguarding issues. Child sexual exploitation; radicalisation; sexual predation: technology often provides the platform that facilitates harm. An effective approach to online safety empowers Co-op Academy Swinton to protect and educate the whole school community in their use of technology and establishes mechanisms to identify, intervene in, and escalate any incident where appropriate.

The breadth of issues classified within online safety is considerable, but can be categorised into three areas of risk:

• Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material; for example pornography, fake news, racist or radical and extremist views;
• Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example commercial advertising as well as adults posing as children or young adults
• Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm; for example making, sending and receiving explicit images, or online bullying.

Children and online safety away from school (COVID Related)

Co-op Academy Swinton is doing what they reasonably can to keep all their children safe. Whilst more children return to school, others will continue to stay at home and, in many cases, will be continuing to engage with school online.

It is important that all staff who interact with children, including online, continue to look out for signs a child may be at risk. Any such concerns should be dealt with as per the Child Protection Policy and where appropriate referrals should continue to be made to children’s social care and as required by the police.

Keeping students and teachers safe during remote education is essential. Teachers delivering remote education online should be aware that the same principles set out in the school’s Staff Behaviour Policy (sometimes known as a Code of Conduct) will apply.

As a school we emphasise the importance of a safe online environment and encourage parents and carers to set age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices and use internet filters to block malicious websites. These are usually free, but often need to be turned on.

Please refer to the following resources to support parents and carers to keep their children safe online:

• Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online, which outlines resources to help keep children safe from different risks online and where to go to find support and advice
• Guidance on staying safe online which includes information on security and privacy settings
• Thinkuknow provides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on staying safe online
• Parent Info is a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations
• Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support
• Internet matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world
• London Grid for Learning has support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online
• Net-aware has support for parents and carers from the NSPCC, including a guide to social networks, apps and games
• Let’s Talk About It has advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation
• UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services

Roles and Responsibilities:

The following section outlines the roles and responsibilities for Online Safeguarding of individuals and groups within the school:

Governors:

• Governors are responsible for the approval of the Online Safeguarding Policy and for reviewing the effectiveness of the policy.
• Governors should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for business communications

Head of school and Senior Leaders:

• The Head of school is responsible for ensuring the safety (including online safeguarding) of members of the academy community
• The Head of school and another member of the Senior Leadership Team/Senior Management Team should be aware of the procedures to be followed in the event of a serious online safeguarding allegation being made against a member of staff
• The Head of school and senior leaders should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for business communications

Online Safeguarding Coordinator/Officer:

Miss Sarah Withers, Deputy Headteacher (Online Safeguarding Coordinator) and Miss Sarah WIthers (Online safeguarding Officer)

• Lead the Online Safety and online safeguarding
• Takes day-to-day responsibility for online safeguarding issues and has a leading role in establishing and reviewing the academy online safeguarding policies/documents
• Ensures that all staff are aware of the procedures that need to be followed in the event of an online safeguarding incident taking place.
• Provides training and advice for staff
• Receives reports of online safeguarding incidents and creates a log of incidents to inform future online safeguarding developments
• Reports regularly to Senior Leadership Team

Network Manager/Technical Staff:

Novus (managed service provider) are responsible for ensuring:

• That the academy ICT infrastructure is secure and is not open to misuse or malicious attack
• That users may only access the academy’s networks through a properly enforced password protection policy
• Technical staff should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for business communications.

Teaching and Support Staff:

Teaching and Support Staff are responsible for ensuring that:

• They have an up-to-date awareness of online safeguarding matters and of the current academy Online Safeguarding Policy and practices
• They have read, understood and signed the school Staff Acceptable Use Policy/Agreement (AUP)
• They report any suspected misuse or problem to the Online Safeguarding Coordinator/ Head of school/Senior Leader/Head of ICT/Class Teacher/Head of Year for investigation/action/sanction
• Staff should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for business communications
• That passwords are regularly updated
• As staff they must deny current or recent students access to your social media profile so you do not put yourself in a vulnerable position.

Designated person for child protection/Child Protection Officer:

Should be trained in online safeguarding issues and be aware of the potential for serious child protection issues to arise from:

• Sharing of personal data
• Access to illegal/inappropriate materials
• Inappropriate online contact with adults/strangers
• Potential or actual incidents of grooming
• Cyber-bullying
• Child Protection Officer should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for business communications

Online Safeguarding Committee:

Members of the Online Safeguarding Committee will assist the Online Safeguarding Coordinator and online safeguarding with:

• The production of the school Online Safeguarding Policy

Students:

• Are responsible for their use of their mobile phones and mobile devices on their 4G network. This should include a knowledge and awareness of risks associated with social media, internet access and video
• In cases where there has been a suspicion of misuse of mobile devices/phones school staff may request to access contents of the phone/device. We would expect the student to comply.
• Are responsible for using the academy ICT systems and mobile technologies in accordance with the Student Acceptable Use Policy, which they will be expected to sign before being given access to academy systems
• Need to understand the importance of reporting abuse, misuse or access to inappropriate materials and know how to do so
• Students should have no expectations of privacy of school email account, as the emails are meant for school communications
• Are to fully understand the risks posed to children by access to the Internet (see Appendix 3)

Parents/Carers:

The academy will take every opportunity to help parents understand these issues through Parents’ Evenings, newsletters, letters, website/Learning Platform and information about national/local online safety campaigns/ literature. Parents and carers will be responsible for:

• Endorsing the Student Acceptable Use Policy
• Accessing the academy ICT systems or Google Classroom in accordance with the academy Acceptable Use Policy.

Community Users:

Community Users who access academy ICT systems or Learning Platform as part of the Extended School provision will be expected to sign a Community User Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) before being provided with access to school systems.

Online Safeguarding Education and Training:

Education - Students:

Online safeguarding education will be provided in the following ways:

• A planned online safeguarding programme will be provided as part of Computing lessons and will be regularly revisited – this will cover both the use of ICT and new technologies in and outside school
• Key online safeguarding messages will be reinforced as part of a planned programme of assemblies and tutorial/pastoral activities
• Students will be taught in all lessons to be critically aware of the materials/content they access on-line and be guided to validate the accuracy of information

Education & Training - Staff:

It is essential that all staff members receive online safeguarding training and understand their responsibilities, as outlined in this policy. Training will be offered as follows:

• A planned programme of formal online safeguarding training will be made available to staff. An audit of the online safeguarding training needs of all staff will be carried out regularly. It is expected that some staff will identify online safeguarding as a training need within the performance management process.
• All new staff will receive online safeguarding training as part of their induction programme, ensuring that they fully understand the academy online safeguarding policy and Acceptable Use Policies

Communication devices and methods:

The following table shows the academy policy on the use of communication devices and methods.

Where it is indicated that the method or device is allowed at certain times, these are clearly outlined in the next table.

This table indicates when some of the methods or devices above may be allowed:

Unsuitable/inappropriate activities:

The academy believes that the activities referred to in the following section would be inappropriate in a school context and those users, as defined below, should not engage in these activities in school or outside school when using academy equipment or systems. The academy policy restricts certain internet usage as follows:

Good practice guidelines : Email

Good practice guidelines : Images, photos and videos

Good practice guidelines : Internet

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Good practice guidelines : Mobile phones

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Good practice guidelines : Social networking (eg. Facebook/Twitter)

Good practice guidelines : Webcams

Incident Management: Students

Incident Management: Staff and community users

Co-op Academy Swinton

Staff Online Safeguarding Incident Flowchart

Co-op Academy Swinton

Student Online Safeguarding Incident Flowchart

Appendix 1: Student AUP

Student Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

Please make sure you read and understand the following ✓ I WILL and ❌ I WILL NOT statements. If there’s anything you’re not sure of, please ask your teacher.

Student Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

This form relates to the Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), to which it is attached.

I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of the academy:

• I understand that the school also has the right to take action against me if I am involved in incidents of inappropriate behaviour, that are covered in this agreement, when I am out of school and where they involve my membership of the school community (examples would be cyber-bullying, use of images or personal information)
• I understand that if I fail to follow this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I will be subject to disciplinary action. This may include loss of access to the academy network/Internet, corrections, suspensions, contact with parents/carers and in the event of illegal activities and involvement of the police
• I understand that I should have no expectations of privacy of academy email accounts, as the emails are meant for academy communications

I have read and understand the above and agree to follow these guidelines when:

• I use the academy ICT systems and equipment (both in and out of the academy)
• I use my own equipment in the academy (when allowed) eg. mobile phones, PDAs, cameras etc.
• I use my own equipment out of the academy in a way that is related to me being a member of this academy eg. communicating with other members of the academy, accessing academy email, Learning Platform, website etc.

(Parents/carers are requested to sign the permission form below to show your support of the school in this important aspect of the school’s work).

Appendix 2: Staff, volunteer and Community AUP

Staff, Volunteer and Community User Acceptable Use Policy Agreement Template

Academy Policy

This Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is intended to ensure:

• That staff, volunteers and community users will be responsible users and stay safe while using the Internet and other communications technologies for educational, personal and recreational use.
• That academy ICT systems and users are protected from accidental or deliberate misuse that could put the security of the systems and users at risk.
• That staff, volunteers and community users are protected from potential risk in their use of ICT in their everyday work.

The academy will try to ensure that staff, volunteers and community users will have good access to ICT to enhance their work, to enhance learning opportunities for students learning and will, in return, expect staff, volunteers and community users to agree to be responsible users.

Acceptable Use Policy Agreement

I understand that I must use academy ICT systems in a responsible way, to ensure that there is no risk to my safety or to the safety and security of the ICT systems and other users. I recognise the value of the use of ICT for enhancing learning and will ensure that students receive opportunities to gain from the use of ICT. I will, where possible, educate the young people in my care in the safe use of ICT and embed online safety in my work with young people.

For my professional and personal safety:

• I understand that the academy will monitor my use of the ICT systems, email and other digital communications.
• I understand that the rules set out in this agreement also apply to use of academy ICT systems (e.g. laptops, email, Google Classroom etc.) out of the academy.
• I understand that the academy ICT systems are primarily intended for educational use and that I will only use the systems for personal or recreational use within the policies and rules set down by the academy.
• I will not disclose my username or password to anyone else, nor will I try to use any other person’s username and password.
• I will immediately report any illegal, inappropriate or harmful material or incident I become aware of, to the appropriate person.

I will be professional in my communications and actions when using school ICT systems:

• I will not access, copy, remove or otherwise alter any other user’s files, without their express permission.
• I will communicate with others in a professional manner, I will not use aggressive or inappropriate language and I appreciate that others may have different opinions.
• I will ensure that when I take and/or publish images of others I will do so with their permission and in accordance with the academy’s policy on the use of digital/video images. I will not use my personal equipment to record these images, unless I have permission to do so. Where these images are published (eg. on the academy website/VLE) it will not be possible to identify by name, or other personal information, those who are featured.
• I will only use chat and social networking sites in the academy in accordance with the academy’s policies.
• I will only communicate with students and parents/carers using official academy systems. Any such communication will be professional in tone and manner.
• I will not engage in any online activity that may compromise my professional responsibilities.
• I understand that I should have no expectations of privacy of academy email account, as the emails are meant for business communications

The academy has the responsibility to provide safe and secure access to technologies and ensure the smooth running of the academy:

• When I use my personal hand-held/external devices (PDAs/laptops/mobile phones/USB devices etc.) in the academy, I will follow the rules set out in this agreement, in the same way as if I was using academy equipment. I will also follow any additional rules in line with the academy’s Online Safety Policy set by the academy about such use. I will ensure that any such devices are protected by up to date anti-virus software and are free from viruses
• I will not use personal email addresses on the academy ICT systems.
• I will not open any attachments to emails, unless the source is known and trusted, due to the risk of the attachment containing viruses or other harmful programmes.
• I will ensure that my data is regularly backed up, in accordance with relevant academy policies.
• I will not try to upload, download or access any materials which are illegal (child sexual abuse images, criminally racist material, adult pornography covered by the Obscene Publications Act) or inappropriate or may cause harm or distress to others.
• I will not try to use any programmes or software that might allow me to bypass the filtering/security systems in place to prevent access to such materials.
• I will not try (unless I have permission) to make large downloads or uploads that might take up Internet capacity and prevent other users from being able to carry out their work.
• I will not install or attempt to install programmes of any type on a machine, or store programmes on a computer, nor will I try to alter computer settings, unless this is allowed in academy policies.
• I will not disable or cause any damage to school equipment, or the equipment belonging to others.
• I will only transport, hold, disclose or share personal information about myself, or others. Where personal data is transferred outside the secure school network, it must be encrypted.
• I understand that data protection policy requires that any staff or student data, to which I have access, will be kept private and confidential, except when it is deemed necessary that I am required by law or by academy policy to disclose such information to an appropriate authority.
• I will immediately report any damage or faults involving equipment or software, however this may have happened.

When using the Internet in my professional capacity or for academy sanctioned personal use:

• I will ensure that I have permission to use the original work of others in my own work.
• Where work is protected by copyright, I will not download or distribute copies (including music and videos).

Staff, Volunteer and Community User Acceptable Use Agreement Form

This form relates to the Staff, Volunteer and Community User Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), to which it is attached.

I understand that I am responsible for my actions, both in and out of the academy:

• I understand that this Acceptable Use Policy applies not only to my work and use of the academy ICT equipment in the academy, but also applies to my use of academy ICT systems and equipment out of the academy and my use of personal equipment in the academy or in situations related to my employment by the academy.
• I understand that if I fail to comply with this Acceptable Use Policy Agreement, I could be subject to disciplinary action. This could include) a warning, a suspension, referral to Governors and in the event of illegal activities the involvement of the police.

I have read and understood the academy’s Online safeguarding Policy.

• I have read and understand the above and agree to use the academy ICT systems (both in and out of the academy) and my own devices (in the academy and when carrying out communications related to the academy) within these guidelines.

Appendix 3: Use of Images Consent Form

Use of Digital/Video Images

The use of digital/video images plays an important part in learning activities. Students and members of staff may be using digital or video cameras to record evidence of activities in lessons and out of school. These images may then be used in presentations in subsequent lessons.

Images may also be used to celebrate success through their publication in newsletters, on the academy website and occasionally in the press/media.

The academy will comply with the Data Protection Act and request parents/carers permission before taking images of members of the academy.

Parents/carers are requested to sign the permission form below to allow the academy to take and use images of their children.

Parental Consent Form

As an academy we regularly need to request parental consent for a range of issues. We have chosen to implement a combined consent form in order to make the system more efficient. Please find below a summary of issues for which we would now like to request your consent.

Photographs/Digital Images

We need your consent to allow us to use photographs and filmed images of your child on our academy website, social media, academy newsletter and prospectus, local media, video and internal displays around the academy.

Academy Trips/Off-Site Activities

We need your consent for your child to participate in any trips/off-site activities (including residential trips). The academy will send you information about each individual activity before it takes place, allowing you to tell the school whether or not you wish your child to participate.

Emergency Medical Treatment

We need your consent for urgent medical treatment to be given (if required) by a qualified first aider during the academy day or during an out of school activity, where it is not possible to contact you or any other person with parental responsibility.

Internet/ICT Equipment Usage

We need to make you and your child aware of our academy’s ‘Acceptable Use Agreement’ (attached) and Online Safety Policy.

I understand that my child will be required to sign an Acceptable Use agreement and undertake online safety training to help them to understand the importance of safe use of ICT, both here and home.

Privacy Notice

We need to inform you that we store personal data about you and your child on our school’s management systems. We will share this data with the Department for Education and those who provide services to the academy and organisations concerned with the welfare of your child. The Privacy Notice can be found on our website at: https://swinton.coopacademies.co.uk/downloads/privacy-notice-parents/

Appendix 3: Posed risks to children of constant Internet access

Inappropriate Material

One of the key risks of using the Internet, email or chat rooms is that young people may be exposed to inappropriate material. This may be material that is pornographic, hateful or violent in nature; that encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal; or that is just age-inappropriate or biased. One of the key benefits of the web is that it is open to all, but unfortunately this also means that those with extreme political, racist or sexual views, for example, are able to spread their distorted version of the world.

Illegal Behaviour

Some young people may get involved in inappropriate, antisocial or illegal behaviour while using digital technologies. Just as in the real world, groups or cliques can form online, and activities that start out as harmless fun, such as voicing an opposing opinion to another member of a chat room, can quickly escalate to something much more serious.

Physical Danger

The threat of physical danger is perhaps the most worrying and extreme risk associated with the use of the Internet and other technologies, and is probably the risk most reported by the media.

A criminal minority can make use of the Internet and chat rooms to make contact with young people with the intention of developing relationships which they can progress to sexual activity. Paedophiles will often target a child, posing as a young person with similar interests and hobbies in order to establish an online 'friendship'. These relationships may develop to a point where the paedophile has gained the trust in order to meet in person. These techniques are often known as 'online enticement', 'grooming' or 'child procurement'.

Bullying

Cyber Bullying – whether via the Internet, mobile phone or any other method – is another aspect of the use of new technologies that provide an anonymous method by which bullies can torment their victims. While a young person may or may not be in physical danger, they may receive email, chat or text messages that make them feel embarrassed, upset, depressed or afraid. This can damage their self-esteem and pose a threat to their psychological well being.

Divulging Personal Information

Most parents do not allow their children to give out personal information online and around 50% of children acknowledge this. Just under half of 9-19 year old children who go online once a week say that they have given out personal information, such as their full name, age, address, email address, phone number, hobbies, name of their school etc., to someone they met on the internet.

In summary, risks associated with using the internet and digital technologies are often categorised as resulting from content, contact, commerce or culture.

Illegal Activity

Some children and young people may become involved in other equally serious activities. Possible risks include involvement in identity theft or participation in hate or cult websites, or in the buying and selling of stolen goods. The ease of access to online gambling, suicide sites, sites selling weapons, hacking sites, and sites providing recipes for making drugs or bombs are also of great concern.

There is some evidence to suggest that young people have become involved in the viewing, possession, making and distribution of indecent and/or child abuse/pornographic images.