RNIB Pears Centre
E-Safety Policy – Site Wide
Context
We believe it our duty to protect our young people against any form of abuse or exploitation. However we are challenged to do so whilst offering plentiful opportunities for our young people to use technology to support them to become more independent, communicative, successful and active citizens.
In the main our young people have a vision impairment that co-exists with other complex needs. This means that our approach to the use of technology differs from many other centres and the level of support our young people require to access technology is significantly greater.
The majority of our young people need a high level of support to use and access technology, assistive devices and the internet. It is therefore often the role of staff to facilitate this and guide our young people to make safe choices online. To this end, a uniform, age appropriate, education package for our young people does not meet need and e-safety is approached on an individual basis. Where young people have very limited or no ability to use devices unsupported, the responsibility for their safety is devolved to staff working with them and our expectation is that this responsibility is taken seriously by all. Where we have young people who can autonomously use devices we will support them on an individual basis to understand their vulnerabilities and how to safeguard themselves and report any concerns.
Aims
· To ensure our young people have access to suitable technology and learn how to use it effectively.
· To ensure that we support our young people to remain safe when using technology, especially when accessing online spaces that enable information exchange, communication and social media.
· To ensure that young people wo have capacity to do so, adequately safeguard themselves when using technology.
Supporting our young people to use technology safely
For those young people who have greater autonomy in using technology we must consider the following:
· Sharing appropriate websites sand materials
It is critical that any staff or volunteers thoroughly check any online
materials they wish to share with young people. This applies to all
areas of the internet, but particularly those showing digital images
and videos that may carry inappropriate advertising or content.
Staff should always preview such resources to ensure they are
appropriate for their audience. This should also ensure reduced
waiting times for young people, with autism, whom wish to see and
hear certain resources quickly.
· Using the internet
Young People should be encouraged and taught to use the internet to find information or entertainment resources, and trained to search effectively. Awareness should also be raised regarding safe searching, and discussions on reliable and unreliable information online should be regular.
· Search engines
Some common Internet search options carry risk, and young people should be taught to use these resources (eg, image searches) in a safe, appropriate way. This is also further protected by the firewall from the corporate solution, that protects both wired and wireless devices online.
· Collaborative technologies
There are a number of Internet technologies that make interactive collaborative environments available. Often the terms ‘Social networking’ or ‘social media’ are used. Examples include blogs , wikis and podcasting. Using these technologies for activities can be helpful, can develop communication skills, and can help young people build networks of their own. However, they are high risk environments and it is essential that staff use them carefully and ensure that young people understand the risks that they present.
· Webcam based activities
Webcams and ipads can be used to provide a ‘window onto the world’ to see what it is like somewhere else. The value of this in terms of seeing activity/life in otherwise unreachable locations is clear, however staff should always preview websites to ensure that webcam feeds and similar resources are suitable. The highest risks lie with streaming webcams and often those linked to online gaming, that young people use or access outside of the school environment. Whilst these are rarely used by our young people, those who have autonomy need to be aware of the dangers.
· Social networking sites
These are a popular aspect of the web for young people. For students who have a good level of cognisance, but may be non-verbal or physically limited this can expand their world significantly and give them equity with their peers. Sites allow users to share and post web sites, videos, images, etc. It is important for our more autonomous young people to fully understand that these sites are public spaces with adult users. They are environments that should be used with extreme caution. Some of these sites are blocked by our security settings, however pupils need to be taught safe behaviour as they may well be able to readily access them outside of the school day.
· Podcasts
Podcasts are essentially audio files published online, often in the form of a radio show, but can also contain video. Users can subscribe to have regular podcasts sent to them and simple software now enables children to create their own radio broadcast and post this onto the web. These could provide a valuable outlet for young people, but they must be treated with caution and young people must understand their risks and how to report inappropriate use.
· Chat rooms
Many sites allow for ‘real-time’ online chat. Again, children should only be given access to educational, moderated chat rooms. The moderator (or referee) checks what users are saying and ensures that the rules of the chat room (no bad language, propositions,
or other inappropriate behaviour) are observed. Pupils should be taught to understand the importance of safety within any chat room because they are most likely at risk out of school where they may access chatrooms.
· Digital photography and sharing platforms
These online platforms allow the sharing of digital images. It is vital that our staff and young people fully understand that these are often public domains from where images can be taken, altered and/or re-shared. They are also often platforms that allow/enable communication with strangers with no prior checking. These are not used in the school to any extend, but young people may access them out of school on their own devices or in their family homes. It is therefore critical that they understand the risks they present and how to report any concerns they may have.
Email can be a significant aid to non-verbal young people and young people who are looked after. It can give a voice to young people and can enable them to maintain communication with family and friends. Any email received or sent onsite is subject to our security filter settings and is therefore safeguarded to a degree for all users. However young people who are able may set up e-mail accounts of their own and therefore must know how to do so safely and how to report any concerns that may arise.
· Cyber bullying
We hope that our high levels of supervision would enable us to quickly identify and protect our young people against cyberbullying. However this may not always be the case and we must acknowledge this fact. Cyber bullying is bullying through the use of communication technology like mobile phone text messages, e-mails or websites. This can take many forms e.g.
· Sending threatening or abusive text messages or emails, personally or anonymously.
· Making insulting comments about someone on a website, social networking site (e.g. Facebook) or online journal (blog).
· Making or sharing derogatory or embarrassing videos of someone via mobile phone or email.
In some cases this practice may be illegal and should be reported as they may be covered under the auspices of either the Harassment Act 1997 or the Telecommunications Act 1984 for example.
Responses to cyberbullying with autonomous young people
If a bullying incident directed at a child occurs using email or mobile phone technology either inside or outside of school time:
· Advise the child not to respond to the message.
· Secure and preserve any evidence.
· Inform the sender’s e-mail service provider or social media provider if possible and request the comments be removed if the site is administered externally.
· Notify parents/carers of those involved, if it is young people in our care.
· Consider informing the WSCB and/or police.
· Send all the evidence to CEOP at ww.ceop.gov.uk/contact_us.html.
· Endeavour to trace the origin and inform police as appropriate if possible.
Our use of digital images of our young people
Our website is part of the national RNIB website and is therefore subject to stringent content controls to respect both privacy and dignity of our young people. Content to be submitted by staff to members of the marketing and web team, then sanctioned by senior staff before going ‘live’.
· Young people’s images may only appear on the school website if permission to use their photograph online has been granted.
· When showcasing examples of pupils work in online, in displays or published formats use only first names.
· Only use images of pupils in suitable dress and situations to protect the dignity of all pupils.
· Links to any external websites are thoroughly checked before inclusion on website to ensure that the content is appropriate.
· The centre has mobile phones that can be used for trips offsite. Staff are directed not to use their personal phone or camera without prior permission e.g. for a school field trip or to record evidence offsite such as a mark.
· Permissions for use of pupil photographs are recorded on SIMs for internal use, publications, marketing and internet.
Roles and Responsibilities
RNIB Solutions – The RNIB is the corporate parent of RNIB Pears Centre and as such has responsibility to provide the appropriate solutions for access to technology. This includes the provision of hardware, software and appropriate security to safeguard users across the centre. The solutions team are also responsible for informing the leadership team of any suspected breaches or appropriate use or security affecting anyone on site that are identified by the system and its associated monitoring.
Leadership Team
The leadership team on site consists of:
The Head of Education, Principle Manager for Care and Well-Being, the Registered Manager for the children’s home, the Deputy to the Registered Manager for the children’s home, the Head Teacher and the Deputy Head Teacher.
It is the shared responsibility of these colleagues to ensure that their staff are appropriately trained, included and debriefed in matters of safeguarding and e-safety. It is also essential that any issues arising are reported through the site-wide safeguarding group who meet 6 times per year to discuss such matters. This group can also convene as any time in addition to these meetings.
Responsible Managers
It is the role of the responsible managers ( Registered Manager, Childrens Home and Head Teacher) of their delegated officers, to ensure that processes for investigating any allegations or suspicions of abuse of technology by staff or young people.
Designated Safeguarding Leaders
The site has 6 Designated Safeguarding Leaders (DSL). These are:
Ginny Tyler
Linda Cope
Lisa Chilton
Fiona Minion
Emily Hopkins-Hayes
Angela Farrell
It is their role to carry out staff training on safeguarding matters, including e-safety and to be a first point of contact for anyone wishing to raise a concern. It is then their responsibility to notify relevant officials, professionals and/or families and decide upon next steps according to RNIB process.
Corporate Safeguarding Manager
The corporate safeguarding manager is responsible for auditing safeguarding practices including e-safety across RNIB Places. She also serves in an advisory capacity to support leaders and responsible managers to ensure that policy is implemented and affective. She is also a D.S.L. and is available to any concerned party who may wish to report a concern regarding practice on site at RNIB Pears Centre. Her details are provided below:
Debbie Lynch – or 07748657447
Responsibilities of All Staff and Young People
· All staff are responsible for promoting and supporting safe behaviours in their roles and interactions with our young people and following E-Safety procedures.
· Safe use of the internet at school and home is discussed in classes and in the children’s home.
· All staff should be familiar with the RNIB Acceptable Use and e-safety policies including and be aware of:
· Safe use of e-mail.
· Safe use of Internet including use of internet-based.
· Communication services, such as instant messaging and social networking.
· Safe use of the network, equipment and data.
· Safe use of digital images and digital technologies, such as mobile phones and digital cameras.
· Publication of pupil information/photographs and use of websites.
· Cyber bullying procedures.
· Their role in providing e-Safety education or advice for pupils.
· Their responsibility to report any misconduct or inappropriate use of the internet or related technology amongst colleagues and visitors in line with RNIB Places safeguarding and whistleblowing policy.
Dealing with Complaints
All complaints received regarding e-safety concerns or infringements will be dealt with initially in line with our safeguarding policy and investigated thoroughly as a safeguarding concern. This may include referrals being made to outside agencies including the WSCB and the police where appropriate. Depending on the outcome of this investigation the following will be considered:
In the case of conscious inappropriate use by an young person, appropriate sanctions will be considered such as removal of devices, further learning regarding e-safety or discussion and agreement of sanctions with their family or local authority parent.
In the case of inappropriate use by an adult volunteer or employee this will then be considered against the RNIB disciplinary policy for further action or investigation.
Where appropriate complainants will receive some feedback, but this may not always be appropriate or possible.