Feedback

Simfin

online safety and digital citizenship specialist

 Tagged with guidance


24 September 2020

 

The impact of COVID-19 means that most of us will be at home for an extended period and are likely to be spending increasing amounts of time online.

The online world is a necessity for many children in accessing school work and it delivers huge benefits, not least in enabling us to stay connected to family and friends during this period. However, many parents may feel concerned about the content their children are accessing.

Although rare, there is a risk that increased online activity and feelings of stress and isolation may be exploited by negative influences and online groomers of all kinds to target vulnerable children and young people directly.

An understanding of digital safety will help parents and carers safeguard loved ones from a range of harms, whether that’s child sexual exploitation, fraud, or extremist influences seeking to radicalise vulnerable people.

Extremists may use the COVID-19 outbreak to promote hateful views, for example through conspiracy theories blaming a particular group for the virus, or through spreading misinformation regarding these groups’ responses to it.

You can access guidance and support from the Home Office here

 

02 September 2020

Before you start work at a new school, whether as a placement while you train, or as your first school as a Newly Qualified Teacher, ensure you have the answers to these questions.

You may wish to note the answers here for reference. Your school mentor and (if you are in training) your ITT provider have a responsibility to cover this vital and fastmoving area of safeguarding (online safety = safeguarding) but it is in your interest to show an active interest and ask lots of questions.

Read more

22 June 2020

On Wednesday 17 June 2020, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated ‘Keeping children safe in education’ (KCSIE) guidance ready for implementation from Tuesday 1 September 2020.

The Education People has produced a summary of key online safety requirements and changes within KCSIE 2020.

Read more

Andrew Hall, respected safeguarding specialist, has created a video outlining his understanding of, and response to, the changes to the KCSIE requirements. You can watch the video here.

LGFL has shared a 'tracked changes' document here.

 

20 May 2020

Everyone needs a password manager. Period, full stop. It's the only possible way to maintain unique, hard-to-guess credentials for every secure site you, your family members, and your team access daily.

The 15 programs listed in this guide share many core features.

Read more

29 April 2020

The Education Safeguarding Service have published a Template Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) for Remote Learning. During the current Covid-19 restrictions, many schools and settings are implementing remote learning, including live streaming, as well as other forms of online communication to provide formal education and to stay in touch with learners and/or parents carers. The AUP template will enable schools and settings to clearly state their online behaviour expectations for all involved.

Read more